Techniques for basic service set attribute detection and resolution

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described, including identifying a first attribute value associated with a first access point; receiving a second attribute value; and determining that the first attribute value associated with the first access point is the same as the received second attribute value. An attribute value may be an n-bit value, where n is an integer. The n-bit value may identify a BSS color. The n-bit value may, additionally or alternatively, indicate other BSS color information such as a BSSID, ESSID, SSID, or a combination thereof. It is helpful when devices detect BSS attribute value (e.g., BSS color, BSSID, MAC address, ESSID) overlap and notify other associated devices (e.g., STAs, APs) of this overlap so that a device may cease using an attribute value for power save or channel access decisions, and facilitate attribute value adjustment and correction to eliminate a BSS collision.

CROSS REFERENCES

The present application for patent claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/349,644 by Patil, et al., entitled “TechniquesFor Basic Service Set Color Collision Detection and Resolution,” filedJun. 13, 2016, assigned to the assignee hereof.

BACKGROUND

The following relates generally to basic service set (BSS) attribute,color, or beacon collision detection and resolution for wirelesscommunications.

Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide varioustypes of communication content such as voice, video, packet data,messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be multiple-accesssystems capable of supporting communication with multiple users bysharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, andpower). A wireless network, for example a wireless local area network(WLAN), such as a Wi-Fi (i.e., Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 802.11) network may include an access point (AP) thatmay communicate with stations (STAs) or mobile devices. The AP may becoupled to a network, such as the Internet, and may enable a mobiledevice to communicate via the network (or communicate with other devicescoupled to the AP). A wireless device may communicate with a networkdevice bi-directionally. For example, in a WLAN, a STA may communicatewith an associated AP via downlink (DL) and uplink (UL). The DL (orforward link) may refer to the communication link from the AP to theSTA, and the UL (or reverse link) may refer to the communication linkfrom the STA to the AP.

In some wireless communications, different devices (e.g., APs) eachassociated with a different BSS may select overlapping BSS identifiers.As a result, in some examples, STAs associated with a first device(e.g., an AP) and a first BSS may have limited channel accessopportunities based on incorrect interpretation of BSS channelinformation associated with a second device (e.g., an AP) and a secondBSS, which may lead the STAs to incorrectly interpret receivedinformation and enter an incorrect power state based on the information,among other problems.

SUMMARY

The described techniques relate to methods, systems, devices, andapparatuses that support BSS attribute collision detection andresolution. Generally, the described techniques provide for identifyinga first attribute value associated with a first AP, receiving a secondattribute value, and determining that the first attribute valueassociated with the first AP is the same as the received secondattribute value. The second attribute value may be associated with asecond AP. In some examples, the first attribute value, the secondattribute value, or both may be a BSS color. An attribute value may bean n-bit value, where n is an integer. In some implementations, then-bit value may identify a BSS color. In some implementations, the n-bitvalue may also indicate a status of a BSS color (e.g., that a BSS coloris enabled or disabled). In some examples, disabling a BSS color mayinclude suspending the BSS color for a duration. For example, an AP maydetect a BSS color collision and suspend the BSS color for a period(e.g., a number of beacon intervals). In some cases, the AP may monitorthe BSS color collision during the period to determine whether the BSScolor collision is persisting. Alternatively, the AP may disable the BSScolor based on the monitoring, i.e., after determining that the BSScolor collision still exists. The AP may also, in some cases, based onthe BSS color collision continuing for a duration satisfying a thresholdvalue (e.g., threshold period) may change the BSS color. In some cases,the AP may alternatively, unsuspend the BSS color if the AP determinesthat the BSS color collision no longer exists.

The BSS color may be a non-zero value. In other implementations, then-bit value may indicate a BSS identifier (BSSID) (e.g., a medium accesscontrol (MAC) address associated with an AP). The n-bit value also mayindicate a service set identifier (SSID) of a BSS. In some examples, thefirst attribute value associated with the first AP, the second attributevalue, or both may identify a BSS in a physical (PHY) layer header. Forexample, the BSS may be embedded in a field of the PHY layer header of adata packet or beacon. In some implementations, the attribute value maybe associated with a BSS color field of the PHY layer header unique toeach BSS.

An AP may be associated with a BSS. BSS collision may occur when two APsassociated with different BSSs are using a same attribute value, whichmay or may not be a BSS color. For example, a first AP of a first BSSmay be using a first attribute value, and a second AP of a second BSSmay be using a second attribute value that is equivalent to the firstattribute value. In this implementation, the attribute values of thefirst BSS and the second BSS may be a same n-bit value. The n-bit valuemay identify a BSS color associated with the first BSS and a BSS colorassociated with the second BSS. Additionally or alternatively, theattribute value of the first BSS and the second BSS may include a sameor different ID in addition to a BSS color. For example in theimplementation of an extended service set (ESS), a first AP and a secondAP may have a same ESSID, but may have different BSS colors associatedwith the individual BSS of the first AP and the second AP.

A first AP may identify a first BSS color associated with the first AP,receive BSS color information including a second BSS color associatedwith another AP, determine that the first BSS color is the same as thesecond BSS color, and detect a BSS color collision based on the two APsbeing associated with the same BSS color. The described techniques alsorelate to identifying a first BSSID associated with the first AP,identifying a second BSSID associated with the second AP from a receivedframe from a STA, and determining that the first BSSID is different fromthe second BSSID, and detecting a BSS color collision based on the twoAPs being associated with the same BSS color and each being associatedwith different BSSIDs.

Two BSSs may be neighboring BSSs, and as such the two APs (e.g., thefirst AP and the second AP) may be communicating with a STAsimultaneously. For example, a STA in an overlapping BSS (OBSS) part ofthe neighboring BSSs may be receive communication from both the firstand second APs. In the implementation where both APs have the sameattribute value, the STA may receive and process communications (e.g.,data packets, beacons, probe response frames, association frames) fromboth APs. Processing communications from both APs may result in the STAconsuming excessive power and decreasing communication efficiency.

A STA in an OBSS may detect a BSS collision. The STA may compare anattribute value of a first AP and an attribute value of a second AP. Thefirst AP may be associated with a first BSS, and the second AP may beassociated with a second BSS. The STA may receive the attribute valuesfrom the first AP and the second AP directly, or indirectly via one ormore other STAs of the first BSS or the second BSS. In some examples, aSTA may identify a first BSS color associated with a first AP, and mayreceive BSS color information including a second BSS color associatedwith a second AP. In some implementations, this second BSS color andrelated color information may be received from another STA or directlyfrom the second AP. The STA may determine that the first BSS color isthe same as the second BSS color. The STA also may identify or receiveinformation indicating a first BSSID associated with the first AP, andidentify or receive information indicating a second BSSID associatedwith the second AP. The STA may determine that the first BSSID isdifferent from the second BSSID, while also having identified that theBSS colors overlap. Thus, the STA may determine a BSS color collisionexists and initiate at least one operation based on the BSS colorcollision.

Based on detecting a BSS collision, a device (e.g., STA, AP) may notifyother associated devices (e.g., STAs, APs) of this overlap so that atleast some of the devices may cease using an attribute value for powersave or channel access decisions, and facilitate attribute valueadjustment and correction to eliminate the BSS collision. For example, aSTA may detect BSS collision and transmit a message to a first andsecond AP indicating the detected BSS collision. The first AP or secondAP, or both may receive the message and modify the correspondingattribute value, accordingly. As a result, when the STA receivessubsequent attribute values (e.g., modified attribute values) from thefirst AP and the second AP, the STA will be able to distinguish betweenthe first BSS and the second BSS; and thus process communicationsaccordingly without unnecessary consumption of additional power orreduction of communication efficiency. The present techniques andmethods may be performed by at least an AP, a STA, multiple devicesalone or in combination, or some combination thereof.

A method of wireless communications is described. The method may includeidentifying, at a first AP, a first attribute value associated with thefirst AP, receiving, at the first AP, a second attribute value, anddetermining, at the first AP, that the first attribute value associatedwith the first AP is the same as the received second attribute value.

An apparatus for wireless communications is described. The apparatus mayinclude means for identifying, at a first AP, a first attribute valueassociated with the first AP, means for receiving, at the first AP, asecond attribute value, and means for determining, at the first AP, thatthe first attribute value associated with the first AP is the same asthe received second attribute value.

Another apparatus for wireless communications is described. Theapparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communicationwith the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. Theinstructions may be operable to cause the apparatus to identify a firstattribute value associated with the apparatus, receive a secondattribute value, and determine that the first attribute value associatedwith the apparatus is the same as the received second attribute value.

A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless communications isdescribed. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may includeinstructions operable to cause a processor to identify a first attributevalue associated with a first AP, receive a second attribute value, anddetermine that the first attribute value associated with the first AP isthe same as the received second attribute value.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the first attribute valueassociated with the first AP, or the received second attribute value, orboth identifies a BSS in a PHY layer header. In some examples of themethod, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium describedabove, the second attribute value is associated with a second AP. Someexamples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readablemedium described above may further include processes, features, means,or instructions for identifying, at the first AP, a first BSSIDassociated with the first AP; identifying a second BSSID associated withthe second AP from a received frame; and determining that the firstBSSID is different from the second BSSID based at least in part on theidentifying.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the first attribute valueincludes a first BSS color and the received second attribute valueincludes a second BSS color. Some examples of the method, apparatus, andnon-transitory computer-readable medium described above may furtherinclude processes, features, means, or instructions for detecting, atthe first AP, a BSS color collision based at least in part ondetermining that the first attribute value associated with the first APis the same as the received second attribute value.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for determining that the BSS colorcollision continues for a duration that satisfies a threshold period;and transmitting BSS color collision information to a station served bythe first AP based at least in part on determining that the BSS colorcollision continues for the duration. In some examples of the method,apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above,the BSS color collision information is transmitted in a delivery trafficindication message (DTIM) beacon, a probe response frame, an associationresponse frame, or a combination thereof.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting the BSS colorcollision information during at least a next DTIM period. Some examplesof the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable mediumdescribed above may further include processes, features, means, orinstructions for disabling, at the first AP, a BSS color via at leastone bit in a BSS color field transmitted in the DTIM beacon, the proberesponse frame, the association response frame, or a combination thereofbased at least in part on determining that the BSS color collisioncontinues for the duration.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for adjusting the first BSS colorassociated with the first AP to a different BSS color based at least inpart on determining that the detected BSS color collision continues fora duration that satisfies a threshold value. In some examples of themethod, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium describedabove, adjusting the first BSS color associated with the first accesspoint includes enabling or disabling the first BSS color. Some examplesof the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable mediumdescribed above may further include processes, features, means, orinstructions for transmitting BSS color information in a DTIM beacon, aprobe response frame, an association response frame, or a special frame,or a combination thereof based at least in part on the adjusted firstBSS color to at least one station served by the first AP.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the BSS color informationincludes a BSS color change announcement including a reference time whena BSS color change will occur and an indication of a new BSS colorselected by the first AP. In some examples of the method, apparatus, andnon-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the referencetime is a countdown value associated with a target beacon transmissiontime (TBTT).

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for generating a random BSS colordifferent from the first BSS color, wherein adjusting the first BSScolor is based at least in part on the random BSS color. In someexamples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readablemedium described above, the adjusting the first BSS color includesselecting a new BSS color associated with the first AP based at least inpart on at least one BSS color associated with an OBSS, the selected newBSS color includes a non-overlapping BSS color distinct from the BSScolor associated with the OBSS.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for generating a color in a range. Insome examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, selecting the new BSS color isbased at least in part on the generated color. Some examples of themethod, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium describedabove may further include processes, features, means, or instructionsfor transmitting an event request, requesting BSS color information, toa STA; receiving other BSS color information associated with a second APbased at least in part on the transmitted event request; identifying anadditional BSS color associated with the second AP from the receivedother BSS color information; and transmitting a second color in therange based at least in part on identified additional BSS colorassociated with the second AP from the received other BSS colorinformation.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting an event requestrequesting BSS color information to a STA. In some examples of themethod, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium describedabove, receiving BSS color information associated with a second AP isbased at least in part on a response to the transmitted event request.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting a query requesting BSScolor information associated with one or more neighboring BSSs to one ormore STAs associated with the first AP; receiving the BSS colorinformation associated with the one or more neighboring BSSs based atleast in part on a response to the transmitted query; determining that acolor collision exists between at least one neighboring BSS and thefirst AP based at least in part on the received BSS color information;and selecting, at the first AP, a new BSS color including anon-overlapping BSS color distinct from a BSS color indicated in thereceived BSS color information associated with the at least oneneighboring BSS based at least in part on determining that the colorcollision exists.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, transmitting the queryincludes transmitting the query to one or more STAs based at least inpart on a coverage area associated with the first AP, the one or moreSTAs, or both. In some examples of the method, apparatus, andnon-transitory computer-readable medium described above, receiving thesecond attribute value includes receiving a frame from a device, whereinthe device includes a neighboring AP, a device participating in aneighboring BSS or a OBSS.

Another method of wireless communications is described. The method mayinclude identifying, at a first AP, a first BSS color associated withthe first AP, receiving, at the first AP, BSS color informationincluding a second BSS color associated with a second AP, determining,at the first AP, that the first BSS color is the same as the second BSScolor, and detecting, at the first AP, a BSS color collision based atleast in part on the determining.

Another apparatus for wireless communications is described. Theapparatus may include means for identifying a first BSS color associatedwith the first AP, means for receiving BSS color information including asecond BSS color associated with a second AP, means for determining thatthe first BSS color is the same as the second BSS color, and means fordetecting a BSS color collision based at least in part on thedetermining.

Another apparatus for wireless communications is described. Theapparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communicationwith the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. Theinstructions may be operable to cause the apparatus to identify a firstBSS color associated with the first AP, receive BSS color informationincluding a second BSS color associated with a second AP, determine thatthe first BSS color is the same as the second BSS color, and detect aBSS color collision based at least in part on the determining.

Another non-transitory computer readable medium for wirelesscommunications is described. The non-transitory computer-readable mediummay include instructions operable to cause a processor to identify, at afirst AP, a first BSS color associated with the first AP, receive, atthe first AP, BSS color information including a second BSS colorassociated with a second AP, determine, at the first AP, that the firstBSS color is the same as the second BSS color, and detect, at the firstAP, a BSS color collision based at least in part on the determining.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for identifying, at the first AP, afirst BSSID associated with the first AP. Some examples of the method,apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described abovemay further include processes, features, means, or instructions foridentifying a second BSSID associated with the second AP from a receivedframe. Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for determining that the first BSSIDmay be different from the second BSSID based at least in part on theidentifying.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting BSS color collisioninformation to a station served by the first AP. Some examples of themethod, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium describedabove may further include processes, features, means, or instructionsfor transmitting BSS color collision information during a next deliverytraffic indication message (DTIM) period.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the BSS color collisioninformation includes a BSS color value based at least in part on thedetermined BSS color collision. In some examples of the method,apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above,the BSS color value includes a predetermined value. In some examples ofthe method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable mediumdescribed above, the transmitting BSS color collision information may beindependent of a bit indicating the detected BSS color collision. Insome examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the BSS color collisioninformation includes a single bit storing a value indicating thedetected BSS color collision.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for adjusting a first BSS color valueassociated with the first AP based at least in part on the detected BSScolor collision. Some examples of the method, apparatus, andnon-transitory computer-readable medium described above may furtherinclude processes, features, means, or instructions for transmitting BSScolor information based at least in part on the adjusted first BSS colorvalue to at least one station served by the first AP.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting BSS color informationduring a next DTIM period. Some examples of the method, apparatus, andnon-transitory computer-readable medium described above may furtherinclude processes, features, means, or instructions for generating arandom BSS color value different from the first BSS color value, whereinadjusting the first BSS color value may be based at least in part on therandom BSS color value.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the received BSS colorinformation may be associated with the second AP. In some examples ofthe method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable mediumdescribed above, the adjusting the first BSS color value includesselecting a new BSS color associated with the first AP based at least inpart on the second BSS color associated with the second AP.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the new BSS color includes anon-overlapping BSS color distinct from the second BSS color associatedwith the second AP. Some examples of the method, apparatus, andnon-transitory computer-readable medium described above may furtherinclude processes, features, means, or instructions for generating acolor value in a range, wherein selecting the new BSS color may be basedat least in part on the generated color value.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting an event requestrequesting BSS color information to a station. Some examples of themethod, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium describedabove may further include processes, features, means, or instructionsfor receiving other BSS color information associated with the second APbased at least in part on the transmitted event request. Some examplesof the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable mediumdescribed above may further include processes, features, means, orinstructions for identifying an additional BSS color associated with thesecond AP from the received other BSS color information. Some examplesof the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable mediumdescribed above may further include processes, features, means, orinstructions for transmitting a second color value in the range based atleast in part on the identifying the additional BSS color associatedwith the second AP from the received other BSS color information.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting an event requestrequesting BSS color information to a station, wherein receiving BSScolor information associated with the second AP may be based at least inpart on a response to the transmitted event request. Some examples ofthe method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable mediumdescribed above may further include processes, features, means, orinstructions for transmitting a query requesting BSS color informationto a device, the device including: the second AP in communication rangewith the first AP, wherein receiving the BSS color information may bebased at least in part on a response to the transmitted query.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, transmitting the queryincludes transmitting the query to the second AP based at least in parton a coverage area associated with the first AP. In some examples of themethod, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium describedabove, transmitting the query includes transmitting the query to thesecond AP via a station based at least in part on a coverage areaassociated with the first AP, or the station, or a combination thereof.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for adjusting the first BSS colorassociated with the first AP to a value different from the second BSScolor associated with the second AP. In some examples of the method,apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above,the transmitted query includes a probe request. Some examples of themethod, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium describedabove may further include processes, features, means, or instructionsfor setting the first BSS color associated with the first AP based atleast in part on an absence of a response to the transmitted query.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for maintaining the first BSS colorassociated with the first AP at a same value. Some examples of themethod, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium describedabove may further include processes, features, means, or instructionsfor transmitting color information based at least in part on themaintained first BSS color to a station.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, receiving the BSS colorinformation includes receiving a frame from a device, wherein the deviceincludes the second AP in communication range with the first AP. In someexamples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readablemedium described above, the received frame includes a beacon, or amanagement frame element, or a probe response, or an associationresponse, or a combination thereof.

A method of wireless communications is described. The method may includeidentifying, at a STA, a first attribute value associated with a firstAP; receiving, at the STA, a frame including a second attribute value;and identifying, at the STA, that the first attribute value and thereceived second attribute value are the same.

An apparatus for wireless communications is described. The apparatus mayinclude means for identifying, at a STA, a first attribute valueassociated with a first AP; means for receiving, at the STA, a frameincluding a second attribute value; and means for identifying, at theSTA, that the first attribute value and the received second attributevalue are the same.

Another apparatus for wireless communications is described. Theapparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communicationwith the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. Theinstructions may be operable to cause the processor to identify a firstattribute value associated with a first AP; receive a frame including asecond attribute value; and identify that the first attribute value andthe received second attribute value are the same.

A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless communications isdescribed. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may includeinstructions operable to cause a processor to identify a first attributevalue associated with a first AP; receive a frame including a secondattribute value; and identify that the first attribute value and thereceived second attribute value are the same.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for identifying, at the station, afirst BSSID associated with the first AP; identifying, at the station, asecond BSSID associated with a second AP from the second attributevalue; and determining, at the station, that the first BSSID isdifferent from the second BSSID based at least in part on theidentifying.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the first attribute valueincludes a first BSS color and the received second attribute valueincludes a second BSS color. Some examples of the method, apparatus, andnon-transitory computer-readable medium described above may furtherinclude processes, features, means, or instructions for detecting, atthe station, a BSS color collision based at least in part on theidentifying that the first attribute value associated with the first APis the same as the received second attribute value.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting a message indicatingthe detected BSS color collision; and receiving from the first accesspoint a message indicating that the first BSS color is disabled based atleast in part on the transmitted message indicating the detected BSScolor collision. In some examples of the method, apparatus, andnon-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the transmittedmessage includes transmitting an event report frame including an eventreport element to the first AP based at least in part on the determinedBSS color collision, the event report is generated autonomously or inresponse to a request from the AP. In some examples of the method,apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above,the event report element includes at least an event report fieldincluding a bitmap including one or more bits where at least some of theone or more bits indicate a color selected by an OBSS. In some examplesof the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable mediumdescribed above, the event report element includes at least an eventreport field including a bitmap including one or more bits where atleast some of the one or more bits indicate BSSID information, or BSScolor information, or a BSS color collision detected, or beaconcollision detected associated with two or more APs of an OBSS, or acombination thereof. In some examples of the method, apparatus, andnon-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the eventreport element includes at least an event report field identifying BSSIDinformation, or BSS color information, or a detected BSS colorcollision, or a combination thereof associated with at least one APcurrently in communication range with the station, or previously incommunication range of the station, or a combination thereof.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the event report elementincludes at least one event report field identifying BSSID information,or BSS color information, or a detected BSS color collision, or acombination thereof associated with a first device in a first BSS andidentifying BSSID information, or BSS color information, or a detectedBSS color collision, or a combination thereof associated with a seconddevice in a second BSS.

Another method of wireless communications is described. The method mayinclude identifying, at a station, a first BSS color associated with afirst AP, receiving, at the station, a frame containing a BSS colorinformation including a second BSS color associated with a second AP,identifying, at the station, that the first BSS color associated withthe first AP and the second BSS color associated with the second AP arethe same, identifying, at the station, a first BSSID associated with thefirst AP, identifying, at the station, a second BSSID associated withthe second AP from the BSS color information, determining, at thestation, that the first BSSID is different from the second BSSID basedat least in part on the identifying, and detecting, at the station, aBSS color collision based at least in part on the determination.

Another apparatus for wireless communications is described. Theapparatus may include means for identifying a first BSS color associatedwith a first AP, means for receiving a frame containing a BSS colorinformation including a second BSS color associated with a second AP,means for identifying that the first BSS color associated with the firstAP and the second BSS color associated with the second AP are the same,means for identifying a first BSSID associated with the first AP, meansfor identifying a second BSSID associated with the second AP from theBSS color information, means for determining that the first BSSID isdifferent from the second BSSID based at least in part on theidentifying, and means for detecting a BSS color collision based atleast in part on the determination.

Another apparatus for wireless communications is described. Theapparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communicationwith the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. Theinstructions may be operable to cause the processor to identify a firstBSS color associated with a first AP, receive a frame containing a BSScolor information including a second BSS color associated with a secondAP, identify that the first BSS color associated with the first AP andthe second BSS color associated with the second AP are the same,identify a first BSSID associated with the first AP, identify a secondBSSID associated with the second AP from the BSS color information,determine that the first BSSID is different from the second BSSID basedat least in part on the identifying, and detect a BSS color collisionbased at least in part on the determination.

Another non-transitory computer readable medium for wirelesscommunications is described. The non-transitory computer-readable mediummay include instructions operable to cause a processor to identify, at astation, a first BSS color associated with a first AP, receive, at thestation, a frame containing a BSS color information including a secondBSS color associated with a second AP, identify, at the station, thatthe first BSS color associated with the first AP and the second BSScolor associated with the second AP are the same, identify, at thestation, a first BSSID associated with the first AP, identify, at thestation, a second BSSID associated with the second AP from the BSS colorinformation, determine, at the station, that the first BSSID isdifferent from the second BSSID based at least in part on theidentifying, and detect, at the station, a BSS color collision based atleast in part on the determination.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above may further include processes,features, means, or instructions for transmitting a message indicatingthe detected BSS color collisions. In some examples of the method,apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above,the transmitted message includes transmitting an event report frameincluding an event report element to the first AP based at least in parton the determined BSS color collision, the event report is generatedautonomously or in response to a request from the AP.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the event report elementincludes an event report field identifying BSSID information, or BSScolor information, or a BSS color collision detected by the second AP,or a combination thereof. In some examples of the method, apparatus, andnon-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the eventreport element includes at least an event report field identifying BSSIDinformation, or BSS color information, or a detected BSS colorcollision, or a combination thereof associated with at least one APcurrently in communication range with the station, or previously incommunication range of the station, or a combination thereof.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described above, the event report elementincludes at least one event report field identifying BSSID information,or BSS color information, or a detected BSS color collision, or acombination thereof associated with a first device in a first BSS andidentifying BSSID information, or BSS color information, or a detectedBSS color collision, or a combination thereof associated with a seconddevice in a second BSS. In some examples of the method, apparatus, andnon-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the eventreport element includes an event token enabling autonomous reporting bythe station to the first AP.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system for wireless communicationsthat supports BSS collision detection and resolution in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a system for wireless communicationsthat supports BSS collision detection and resolution in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3-5 show block diagrams of a device that supports BSS collisiondetection and resolution in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a system including an AP thatsupports BSS collision detection and resolution in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7-9 show block diagrams of a device that supports BSS collisiondetection and resolution in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a system including a STA thatsupports BSS collision detection and resolution in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 11-20 illustrate methods for BSS collision detection andresolution in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is directed to some implementations for thepurposes of describing the innovative aspects of this disclosure.However, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that the teachings herein can be applied in a multitude ofdifferent ways. The described implementations may be implemented in anydevice, system or network that is capable of transmitting and receivingRF signals according to any of the IEEE 16.11 standards, or any of theIEEE 802.11 standards, the Bluetooth® standard, code division multipleaccess (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM),GSM/General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment(EDGE), Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA), Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA),Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO), 1×EV-DO, EV-DO Rev A, EV-DO Rev B,High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access(HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Evolved High SpeedPacket Access (HSPA+), Long Term Evolution (LTE), AMPS, or other knownsignals that are used to communicate within a wireless, cellular orinternet of things (IOT) network, such as a system utilizing 3G, 4G or5G, or further implementations thereof, technology.

In some wireless communications, an attribute value associated with aBSS may help a station (STA) to identify whether a packet may bereceived from within a STA's BSS (or overlapping BSS (OBSS)). Anattribute value may be an n-bit value, where n is an integer. In someimplementations, the n-bit value may identify a BSS color. The n-bitvalue may, additionally or alternatively, indicate BSS color informationsuch as a BSSID, ESSID, SSID, or a combination thereof viamultiple-bits. Additionally or alternatively, the n-bit value may alsoindicate a status of a BSS color (e.g., that a BSS color is enabled ordisabled). In some implementations, a device (e.g., a STA) may beassociated with a first device (e.g., a serving access point (AP))having a first BSS color that can be indicated as an n-bit value in aPHY layer header, but may receive an attribute value from a seconddevice (e.g., another AP) indicating a second BSS color that isoverlapping with the first BSS color—creating a BSS color collision.

In this implementation, the device may examine incorrect BSS attributevalue(s) (e.g., color) (which may be present in a header, such as a PHYlayer header) based on this collision and may incorrectly enter a powersave mode by mistake or make other incorrect determinations. In someexamples, it is helpful when devices detect BSS attribute value (e.g.,BSS color, BSSID, MAC address, ESSID) overlap and notify otherassociated devices (e.g., STAs, APs) of this overlap so that at leastsome of the devices may cease using an attribute value for power save orchannel access decisions, and facilitate attribute value adjustment andcorrection to eliminate the BSS collision.

In some implementations, the present techniques may be performed by orfacilitated by at least an AP, a STA, or some combination of each ofthese or other devices. In some examples, a first AP may identify afirst attribute value associated with itself, receive a second attributevalue, and determine that the first attribute value associated withitself is the same as the received second attribute value. The secondattribute value may be associated with a second AP. The first AP may beassociated with a first BSS and the second AP may be associated with asecond BSS. In this implementation, the attribute values of the firstBSS and the second BSS may be a same n-bit value. The n-bit value mayidentify a BSS color associated with the first BSS and a BSS colorassociated with the second BSS. Additionally or alternatively, theattribute value of the first BSS and the second BSS may include a sameor different ESSID, SSID, etc. in addition to the BSS color.

In some examples, an AP may identify a first BSS color associated withitself, and may receive BSS color information including a second BSScolor associated with a second AP. In some implementations, this secondBSS color and related color information may be received from at least aSTA, or the second AP, or a combination thereof. The first AP maydetermine that the first BSS color is the same as the second BSS color,and detect a BSS color collision when the BSS colors are the same. Thefirst AP may identify or receive information indicating a first BSSIDassociated with the first AP, and identify or receive informationindicating a second BSSID associated with the second AP. The first APmay determine that the first BSSID is different from the second BSSID.By doing so, the first AP may determine a BSS color collision existsbased on an overlapping BSS color information or associated differentBSSIDs, or both.

Two or more BSSs may be neighboring BSSs, and as such two or more APs(e.g., the first AP and the second AP) may be communicating with a STAsimultaneously. For example, a STA in an OBSS of the neighboring BSSsmay be receive communication from both the first and second APs. In theimplementation where both APs have the same attribute value, the STA mayreceive and process communications (e.g., data packets, beacons, proberesponse frames, association frames) from both APs. Processingcommunications from both APs may result in the STA consuming excessivepower and decreasing communication efficiency.

A STA in an OBSS may detect a BSS collision. The STA may compare anattribute value of a first AP and an attribute value of a second AP. Thefirst AP may be associated with a first BSS, and the second AP may beassociated with a second BSS. The STA may receive the attribute valuesfrom the first AP and the second AP directly, or indirectly via one ormore other STAs of the first BSS or the second BSS. Alternatively oradditionally, a STA may perform these operations to determine a BSScolor collision and initiate at least one operation based on the BSScolor collision, such as transmitting information in a message or aframe to an AP.

In some examples, a STA may identify a first BSS color associated withthe first AP, and may receive BSS color information including a secondBSS color associated with the second AP. In some implementations, thissecond BSS color and related color information may be received from atleast another STA, or the second AP, or a combination of these. The STAmay determine that the first BSS color is the same as the second BSScolor. The STA also may identify or receive information indicating afirst BSSID associated with the first AP, and identify or receiveinformation indicating a second BSSID associated with the second AP,including information from a received frame transmitted from a STA oranother AP. The STA may determine that the first BSSID is different fromthe second BSSID, while also having identified that the BSS colorsoverlap. The STA may detect a BSS color collision exists and initiate atleast one operation based on the BSS color collision.

An AP, a STA, multiple devices alone or in combination, or somecombination thereof also may determine that a BSS color collisioncontinues for a duration that satisfies a threshold period. For example,a STA may be roaming throughout a wireless communication network, andthus be exposed to multiple BSSs. Alternatively, in some examples, anAP, a STA, multiple devices alone or in combination, or some combinationthereof also may disable a BSS color based on a BSS color collisioncontinuing for a duration that satisfies a threshold period. The BSScolor disabled operation may be indicated to a STA as a modifiedattribute value. For example, if an AP, or a STA, or both determine thata BSS color collision continues for an extended interval (e.g., a numberof beacon intervals, a duration), the AP or the STA may disable a BSScolor to reduce consuming excessive power and avoid decreasingcommunication efficiency. In some cases, an AP, or STA, or both maydetermine to perform a BSS color change based on the BSS color collisioncontinuing for a duration that satisfies a threshold period (e.g., anumber of beacon intervals). For example, if the BSS color collisioncontinues for the threshold period, the AP or the STA may perform a BSScolor change. Additionally or alternatively, an AP or a STA may disablea BSS color based on determining that a BSS color collision continuesfor a first threshold period, and perform a BSS color change based ondetermining that the BSS color collision continues for a secondthreshold period.

In some implementations, the STA may enter an OBSS and receive attributevalues at a first time from different APs of a BSS associated with theOBSS. The STA may compare the attribute values received from thedifferent APs, and identify that the attribute values are the same. Theattribute values may indicate a BSS color associated with each of theAPs. In the implementation the BSS colors associated with each of theAPs are the same, the STA may detect a BSS color collision and transmita message to the APs indicating the BSS color collision. In some cases,an attribute value may indicate whether a BSS color is disabled orenabled.

The STA may delay transmitting the message to the APs for a duration toconserve transmission power, among other operating characteristics. Forexample, in the implementation of roaming if the STA is mobile, the STAat a second time may receive attribute values from the same APs or somenew APs of a new BSS that may be associated with different attributevalues. If the received attribute values at the second time aredifferent, the STA may ignore transmitting the message and communicatewith one or more of the APs, accordingly. Alternatively, if the durationsatisfies the threshold value (e.g., n seconds, n minutes, where n is aninteger) before the STA receives a new attribute value from a new BSS,the STA may transmit the message including BSS color collisioninformation to the APs or another STA of the associated BSSs. The BSScolor collision information may be transmitted in a beacon (e.g., a DTIMbeacon), a probe response frame, an association response frame, or acombination thereof.

Additionally or alternatively, a STA may report beacon collision. Forexample, in an OBSS beacons transmitted by a first AP may be collidingwith beacons transmitted by a neighboring AP. In some examples, the STAmay detect the beacon collision and transmit a report indicating thebeacon collision to the first AP or the neighboring AP, or both. In someexamples, the STA may report the beacon collision in addition to thedetected BSS color collision. For example, a bit or a subfield of a dataframe may indicate a BSS color collision, and another bit or subfield ofthe data frame may indicate the beacon collision. In some examples, abit or a subfield of a data frame may also indicate that a BSS color isdisabled. Additionally or alternatively, a STA may indicate in a bit ofsubfield or field of a data frame the type or report. For example, theSTA may indicate that the event report is a BSS color collision reportor that the event report is a beacon collision report. In theimplementation that the event report includes both the BSS colorcollision and beacon collision report, the STA also may indicate thiswith at least one bit or in a subfield or field of a data frame.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless local area network (WLAN) 100 (also knownas a Wi-Fi network) configured in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. The WLAN 100 may include an AP 105 and multipleassociated STAs 115, which may represent devices such as mobile STAs,personal digital assistant (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks,notebook computers, tablet computers, laptops, display devices (e.g.,TVs, computer monitors, etc.), printers, etc. The AP 105 and theassociated STAs 115 may represent a BSS or an ESS. The various STAs 115in the network are able to communicate with one another through the AP105. Also shown is a coverage area 110 of the AP 105, which mayrepresent a basic service area (BSA) of the WLAN 100. An extendednetwork STA (not shown) associated with the WLAN 100 may be connected toa wired or wireless distribution system that may allow multiple APs 105to be connected in an ESS.

AP 105 may include a BSS Collision Component 130, which may enable AP105 to detect BSS collision. An AP 105 may identify a first attributevalue associated with itself. An attribute value may be an n-bit value,where n is an integer. The n-bit value may indicate a BSS identifier(BSSID) (e.g., a MAC address associated with AP 105). The n-bit valuealso may indicate a service set identifier (SSID) of a BSS, or an ESSidentifier (ESSID). In some implementations, the n-bit value mayidentify a BSS color. The BSS color may identify a BSS. In someimplementations, one or more STAs 115 may use the BSS color to identifya BSS associated with AP 105. Additionally or alternatively, one or moreSTAs 115 may use the BSS color to identify a physical layer convergenceprocedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) originating from the BSS. Oneor more STAs may use the PPDU to identify and use channel access rulesor reduce power consumption, or both.

AP 105 may include a bitmap. The bitmap may include one or more bitsidentifying BSS information. For example, one or more bits of the bitmapmay identify a BSS color, an SSID, and an ESSID, or a combinationthereof. AP 105 may receive a second attribute value. The secondattribute value may be associated with another AP (not shown). In someexamples, AP 105 may receive the second attribute value directly fromanother AP, or indirectly from one or more STAs 115. AP 105 maydetermine that the first attribute value associated with itself and thereceived second attribute value is the same. AP 105 may determine anoccurrence of a BSS collision based on determining that the firstattribute value is the same as the second attribute value.

In some examples, AP 105 may use BSS Collision Component 130 to detectBSS color collisions based on attribute values, BSS color information,BSSID information, other information or some combination. BSS CollisionComponent 130 may, additionally or alternatively, enable transmittingBSS color collision information to a STA 115 served by AP 105, adjustingor selecting a first BSS color associated with AP 105 (e.g., enabling ordisabling the first BSS color associated with AP 105 and/or enabling ordisabling a second BSS color), transmitting a query requesting BSS colorinformation to at least one other device, or receiving a frame from asecond AP (not shown) in communication range with AP 105, or both.Although not shown in FIG. 1, in some examples, other devices includingat least one STA 115 may additionally or alternatively include a BSSCollision Component 130, as described in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure.

AP 105 may detect a BSS color collision based on determining that afirst attribute value associated with the AP 105 is the same as areceived second attribute value. The first attribute value may be a BSScolor. In some cases, the second attribute value may be received fromanother AP or STA 115. The second attribute value may similarly be a BSScolor. In some cases the BSS color of the AP 105 and the BSS colorreceived from another AP or STA 115 may be same or different. The AP 105may monitor the BSS color collision for a duration. In some cases, theAP 105 may determine that the BSS color collision continues for aduration that satisfies a threshold period. The AP 105 may, based on theBSS color collision persisting for the duration satisfying the thresholdperiod, adjust a TBTT. Additionally, the AP 105 may change a BSS coloror enable or disable a BSS color for a duration. The AP 105 may indicatethe BSS color change or the enabling or disabling of the BSS color toanother AP or the STA 115. For example, an AP may advertise to a STA theBSS color change or enabling or disabling of the BSS color in a frame(e.g., beacon frame) during the adjusted TBTT. In some cases, the AP mayindicate to the STA the adjusted TBTT prior to advertising the BSS colorchange or disabling/enabling of a BSS color.

STA 115 may receive a frame (e.g., a beacon frame) and adjust a TBTTbased on identifying the TBTT adjustment in a bit of a field in anelement of the frame. In the case that STA 115 is target wake time (TWT)STA, the STA 115 may attempt to receive the frame from AP 105 during theadjusted TBTT. In some cases, STA 115 may identify wakeup times tolisten for frames. For example, an AP may broadcast beacons during awakeup interval (e.g., a TWT service period (SP)) associated with a STA,the STA may wakeup during the wakeup interval and listen for the beaconsbroadcasted from the AP. The STA may receive a BSS color changeannouncement and be aware that a BSS color change will occur during aTBTT or the a BSS color is enabled/disabled, or both. For example, insome cases, the STA 115 may receive a special frame (e.g., a TIM frame)and parse one or more fields of the special frame. The STA 115 mayidentify an indication to parse a beacon frame based on the indicationincluded in at least one field (e.g., check beacon field) of the specialframe. The indication may signal that a BSS color change announcement,e.g., a BSS color change, or an enabled/disabled BSS color is carried bythe beacon frame. As a result, STA 115 operating as a TWT STA mayidentify the BSS color change announcement or that the BSS color isdisabled or enable in the beacon frame based on the received indicationin the special frame.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, a STA 115 may be located in theintersection of more than one coverage area 110 and may associate withmore than one AP 105. A single AP 105 and an associated set of STAs 115may be referred to as a BSS. An ESS is a set of connected BSSs. Adistribution system (not shown) may be used to connect APs 105 in anESS. Each BSS may be associated with a color that enables a STA to know(with high probability) whether a transmission is within its BSS or notafter decoding a signal field, for example, in a PHY layer header. Insome implementations, the coverage area 110 of an AP 105 may be dividedinto sectors (also not shown). The WLAN 100 may include APs 105 ofdifferent types (e.g., metropolitan area, home network, etc.), withvarying and overlapping coverage areas 110. Two STAs 115 also maycommunicate directly via a direct wireless link 125 regardless ofwhether both STAs 115 are in the same coverage area 110. Examples ofdirect wireless links 120 may include Wi-Fi Direct connections, Wi-FiTunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS) links, and other group connections.STAs 115 and APs 105 may communicate according to the WLAN radio andbaseband protocol for physical and MAC layers from IEEE 802.11 andversions including, but not limited to, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a,802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ah, etc. In other implementations,peer-to-peer connections or ad hoc networks may be implemented withinWLAN 100.

In some implementations, a STA 115 (or an AP 105) may be detectable by acentral AP 105, but not by other STAs 115 in the coverage area 110 ofthe central AP 105. For example, one STA 115 may be at one end of thecoverage area 110 of the central AP 105 while another STA 115 may be atthe other end. Thus, both STAs 115 may communicate with the AP 105, butmay not receive the transmissions of the other. This may result incolliding transmissions for the two STAs 115 in a contention basedenvironment (e.g., CSMA/CA) because the STAs 115 may not refrain fromtransmitting on top of each other. A STA 115 whose transmissions are notidentifiable, but that is within the same coverage area 110 may be knownas a hidden node. CSMA/CA may be supplemented by the exchange of arequest to send (RTS) packet transmitted by a sending STA 115 (or AP105) and a clear to send (CTS) packet transmitted by the receiving STA115 (or AP 105). This may alert other devices within range of the senderand receiver not to transmit for the duration of the primarytransmission. Thus, RTS/CTS may help mitigate a hidden node problem.

In some implementations, STA 115 may be a target wake time (TWT) STA. ATWT STA may operate under a power saving mechanism negotiated betweenthe TWT STA an AP, that may allow the TWT STA to sleep for predeterminedintervals, and wake up in pre-scheduled (target) intervals to exchange(e.g., receive or transmit) information with the AP. As a TWT STA, STA115 may attempt to receive beacons, data frames, association frames etc.from AP 105. However, this attempt to receive the beacons, the dataframes, the associations frames, etc. from AP 105 becomes optional for aTWT STA. In some cases, STA 115 may identify wakeup times to listen forbeacons, data frames, etc. from AP 105. For example, AP 105 maybroadcast beacons during a wakeup interval associated with STAs 115, theSTAs 115 will wakeup during the wakeup interval and listen for thebeacons broadcasted from AP 105. For example, STAs 115 may be aware thata BSS color change will occur during a target beacon transmission time(TBTT). After the wakeup interval lapses, STAs 115 will return to sleepmode (e.g., lower power mode).

In some implementations, beacons broadcasted by AP 105 may include BSScolor collision information. BSS color collision information may includea BSS color value associated with AP 105. In some examples, the BSScolor collision information may include a single bit or multiple bitsstoring a value indicating a BSS color or a detected BSS colorcollision, or both. For example, a beacon may be associated with anumber of bits and fields that carries information associated with BSScolor, among others. As such, AP 105 may indicate to STAs 115 BSS colorinformation using one or more bits and fields in a beacon. Additionallyor alternatively, AP 105 may indicate a BSS color change announcement toSTAs 115 in a beacon or a separate frame (e.g., management frame or dataframe). AP 105 may also, in some implementations, indicate a BSS colordisabled in a bit or field of a beacon or in a separate frame from thebeacon. For example, AP 105 may assign a bit in a BSS color changeannouncement element to indicate that a BSS color is disabled.Alternatively, AP 105 may assign a field in a BSS color changeannouncement element to indicate that a BSS color is disabled. AP 105may also in some implementations, indicate partial BSS color disabled ina bit or field of a beacon, or a separate frame (e.g., management frameor data frame).

In some implementations, a STA 115 or AP 105 may operate in a shared orunlicensed frequency spectrum. These devices may perform a listen beforetalk (LBT) procedure such as a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior tocommunicating to determine whether the channel is available. A CCA mayinclude an energy detection procedure to determine whether there are anyother active transmissions. For example, the device may infer that achange in a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of a power meterindicates that a channel is occupied. Specifically, signal power is thatis concentrated in a bandwidth and exceeds a predetermined noise floormay indicate another wireless transmitter. A CCA also may includedetection of specific sequences that indicate use of the channel. Forexample, another device may transmit a specific preamble prior totransmitting a data sequence.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a system 200 for wirelesscommunications that supports BSS collision detection and resolution. Insome examples, system 200 may support BSS attribute value collisiondetection and resolution. In some examples, this BSS attribute valuecollision detection and resolution may include, but is not limited to,BSS color collision detection and resolution. In some examples, an AP105 may be associated with at least one STA 115, and these devices mayrepresent at least a part of a BSS. As one example, with reference toFIG. 2, AP 105-a and the STAs 115 (e.g., STAs 115, STA 115-a, and STA115-b) within coverage area 110-a may represent a first BSS. As anotherexample, AP 105-b and the STAs 115 (e.g., STAs 115, STA 115-b) withincoverage area 110-b may represent a second BSS. In some implementations,AP 105-a may be in communication with AP 105-c, among other devices, viaa direct wireless links 120.

In some examples, a STA 115 may be associated with an AP 105 thatcommunicates based on an attribute value associated with the AP 105. Anattribute value may be an n-bit value, where n is an integer. The n-bitvalue may identify a BSS color. Additionally, the BSS color may anon-zero value. The BSS color, in some implementations, may be a 6 bitvalue. The BSS color may identify a BSS. In some implementations, STA115-b may use the BSS color to identify a BSS associated with AP 105-aand a BSS associated with AP 105-b. Additionally or alternatively, STA115-b may use the BSS color to identify a physical layer convergenceprocedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) originating from a BSSassociated with AP 105-a or AP 105-b, or both. STA 115-b may use thePPDU to identify and use channel access rules or reduce powerconsumption, or both.

The n-bit value also may indicate a BSSID (e.g., a MAC address). Then-bit value also may indicate a SSID of a BSS, or an ESSID, or both. Insome examples, STA 115-b may be associated with a first AP 105-a thatcommunicates based on a first BSS color associated with the first AP105-a. STA 115-b may, additionally or alternatively, receive a secondattribute value. Similarly, the second attribute value may be an n-bitvalue identifying a BSS color, BSSID, SSID, or ESSID, or a combinationthereof. In some examples, the first attribute value associated with thefirst AP, or the second attribute value, or both may identify the BSScolor, BSSID, SSID, or ESSID, in a PHY layer header. For example, theBSS may be embedded in a field of the PHY layer header of a data packetor beacon. In some implementations, STA 115-b may receive BSS colorinformation that includes a second BSS color from a second AP (e.g., AP105-b).

BSS collision may occur when two APs associated with different BSSs areusing a same attribute value. In this implementation, the attributevalues of the first BSS and the second BSS may be a same n-bit value.The n-bit value may identify a BSS color associated with the first BSSand a BSS color associated with the second BSS. For example, the firstBSS color associated with a first AP (e.g., AP 105-a) may overlap withthe second BSS color associated with a second AP (e.g., AP 105-b)creating a BSS color collision. In this implementation, the STA maydecode the incorrect BSS color information received from the wrong AP,and, in some implementations, may incorrectly enter a power save modebased on the incorrect BSS color information. Additionally, in someexamples, a STA may receive a frame (e.g., a beacon frame, a managementframe, a data frame) that indicate a same BSS color as an associated AP;however, the frame may be associated with a neighboring AP. As a result,the STA may make incorrect decisions (e.g., incorrectly transitioninginto a power save mode). For example, AP 105-a may be serving STA 115-band STA 115-b may configure its communication with AP 105-a based on theBSS color information it receives from AP 105-a. However, in some cases,STA 115-b may receive BSS color information from AP 105-b, in thisexample, the BSS color information received from AP 105-b may include aBSS color that is same compared to a BSS color of AP 105-a. Since, theBSS color is the same, STA 115-b may think that AP 105-a iscommunicating with STA 115-b and as such may modify an operatingcharacteristic (e.g., transmission schedule, power mode) based on theBSS color information received from AP 105-b. As such, the incorrect BSScolor information maybe an unassociated BSS color information receivedby STA 115-b from a non-serving AP (e.g., AP 105-b). Additionally oralternatively, the attribute value of the first BSS and the second BSSmay include a same or different ID in addition to a BSS color. Forexample in the implementation of an extended service set (ESS), a firstAP 105-a and a second AP 105-b may have a same ESSID, but may havedifferent BSS colors associated with the individual BSS of the first APand the second AP.

As shown in FIG. 2, a STA 115-b may be located in the intersection ofmore than one coverage area 110-a, 110-b and may receive communicationsfrom more than one AP 105 (e.g., AP 105-a, AP 105-b). An AP 105 and anassociated set of STAs 115 may be referred to as a BSS. Two or more BSSsmay be neighboring BSSs, and as such the two or more APs may becommunicating with a STA 115 simultaneously. For example, a STA 115-bmay be in an OBSS and may receive communication from both AP 105-a andAP 105-b. In the implementation where both APs 105-a and 105-b have thesame attribute value, the STA 115 may receive and process communications(e.g., data packets, beacons, probe response frames, association frames)from both APs 105-a and 105-b. Processing communications from both APsmay result in the STA consuming excessive power and decreasingcommunication efficiency.

In some examples, a BSS color in a signaling field (e.g., ahigh-efficiency signaling field) helps a STA 115 identify whether apacket came from within the STA's BSS or OBSS. In some implementations,BSS color in the signaling field helps a STA identify whether a packetcame from within the STA's BSS without further processing or decodingand saves valuable resources. In some implementations, a BSS colorcollision occurs when two neighboring APs end up of selecting the sameBSS color. In some implementations, STAs (e.g., high-efficiency STAs)set the network allocation vector (NAV) based on BSS color and transmitopportunity (TXOP) duration in a signal field. In some examples, if aSTA does not find itself in the STA_ID list, it can incorrectly set theNAV by mistake, which may limit channel access opportunities.Additionally, a STA can decode a BSS color and after signal fielddecoding can assume that the PPDU is not for the STA based on STAidentification information, and may initiate a power save mode bymistake. In some examples, a STA may report BSS color information in thePPDUs it receives before the association via a BSS color report elementin a probe request or re-association request frame.

Instead of detecting a BSS color collision and initiating correctiveoperations, another alternative may include having a device (e.g., aSTA) decode more of or a whole frame that the device may identify fromits own BSS to clarify the sending device. As a result, the STA consumesadditional power, which can be a substantial disadvantage. Therefore,the present techniques detect BSS color overlap causing a BSS colorcollision, and resolve this collision by signaling to other devices(e.g., associated STAs) in its BSS, in other BSSs, or both, that thereis BSS color overlap. This allows at least some of the various devicesto cease using BSS color for making power save or channel accessdecisions, and allow for BSS color adjustment, maintenance, or setting anew BSS color.

An AP may detect a BSS color collision based on receiving frames from anOBSS STA including a same BSS color as the one it has selected for itsBSS. Alternatively, the AP may detect a BSS color collision based onreceiving autonomous BSS color collision reports from its associatedSTAs. The AP may set a BSS color disabled subfield to a value (e.g., 0or 1) in the operation element that it transmits if the BSS colorcollision duration satisfies a threshold period. For example, an AP mayenable or disable a BSS color based on a BSS color collision continuingfor a duration that satisfies a threshold period. If an AP determinesthat a BSS color collision continues for a threshold interval (e.g., anumber of beacon intervals), the AP may disable a BSS color to reduceconsuming excessive power by the AP or communicating STAs, or both. Insome implementations, an AP may additionally or alternatively determineto perform a BSS color change (e.g., enable and/or disable different BSScolors) based on the BSS color collision continuing for a duration thatsatisfies the threshold period (e.g., a number of beacon intervals). Forinstance, if the BSS color collision continues for a threshold number ofbeacon intervals, the AP may perform a BSS color change. Additionally oralternatively, an AP may disable a BSS color based on determining that aBSS color collision continues for a first sub-threshold period, andperform a BSS color change based on determining that the BSS colorcollision continues for a second sub-threshold period.

In some implementations, an AP may determine to change a BSS color basedon received BSS color information of OBSS APs or autonomous collisionreports received from associated STAs when selecting the value of itsBSS color. In some examples, the autonomous report may include BSS colorinformation associated with one or more OBSSs that the STA detected inorder to help its associated AP select a new non-overlapping BSS colorwhen the AP decides to change to a different BSS color. A STA may reportBSS color collision based on detecting frames from OBSS STAs including asame BSS color as indicated by an associated AP. In some examples, theAP may maintain a BSS color subfield until the STA transmitting theoperation element switches to a new BSS color. An AP may also maintain aBSS color subfield when the AP disables a BSS color based on a BSS colorcollision that continues for a threshold period. In addition, the AP mayupdate a BSS color subfield indicating a change in BSS color when the APdetermines that the BSS color collision continues to exist for athreshold period. In some cases, the threshold period associated withthe AP disabling a BSS color or performing a BSS color change may be thesame or different from each other. In some examples, the reporting maybe performed autonomously. In some implementations, two or more APs maybe associated with same BSSID. In this implementation, a STA may filterthe two or more APs before determining whether a BSS color collisionexists.

The present techniques help facilitate detecting a BSS color collisionand remedying this collision based on various operations. Although thepresent techniques, methods, and operations are described as beingperformed by a device (e.g., a STA, an AP, or both), each may beperformed by other devices or combinations of various devices. In someexamples, an AP (e.g., AP 105-a) may include a BSS Collision Component130-a. In some examples, least one STA (e.g., STA 115-a, STA 115-b) mayinclude a BSS Collision Component 130-b, 130-c. Each of these BSSCollision Components 130 may perform operations related to detecting aBSS color collision, resolving at least one BSS color collision, andrelated operations, as described with reference to FIG. 2 and aspects ofthe present disclosure. Each BSS Collision Component 130 may enable anAP 105 (e.g., a high-efficiency AP), an STA 115 (e.g., a high-efficiencySTA), or a combination thereof to detect BSS color collisions based onattribute values (e.g., BSS color information, BSSID information, otherinformation, or some combination). BSS Collision Component 130 (or BSSCollision Components 130-a, 130-b, or 130-c) may, additionally oralternatively, enable transmitting BSS color collision information to aSTA 115 served by the at least one AP 105, adjusting or selecting afirst BSS color associated with the at least one AP 105, transmitting aquery requesting BSS color information to another device, or receiving aframe from a second AP 105 in communication range with the at least oneAP 105.

In some examples, a device may detect a BSS color collision based on atleast one operation. In some implementations, as described withreference to FIG. 2, the device may include an AP (e.g., AP 105-a), aSTA (e.g., STA 115-a, STA 115-b), some combination of these devices, oranother device.

As a first example, a first AP (e.g., AP 105-a) may initiate or performoperations to detect a BSS color collision. In some examples, the firstAP may identify or detect a first BSS color associated with itself, aBSSID associated with itself, other BSS color information associatedwith itself, BSS color information or BSSID information associated withat least one other device, or some combination. This BSS colorinformation or BSSID may be set based on a default setting, protocol,instruction, or other method. The first AP may receive a frame (or otherinformation) including BSS information from another device, such as aSTA 115. In some implementations, the BSS information may include asecond BSS color, a second BSSID, or combination of these associatedwith a second AP (e.g., AP 105-b, AP 105-c). In some implementations,the received frame may be received from a STA (e.g., STA 115-b), an AP(e.g., AP 105-b, AP 105-c), or at least one other device.

The first AP may determine or identify that the first BSS color is thesame as, overlaps with, or is different from the second BSS colorassociated with the second AP. This determining or identifying may bebased on comparing the received frame or frames with other frames orinformation from separate communications or settings, partially decodingat least some information, or by merely detecting the first BSS colorand the second BSS color and identifying whether the two colors are thesame.

In some implementations, the first AP may detect a BSS color collisionbased on whether two BSS colors are the same or not. As one example, ifthe first AP (e.g., AP 105-a) receives color information from anotherdevice, such as another AP (e.g., AP 105-c) within a communication rangeof the first AP, the first AP may detect a color collision based on theBSS color information, including the second BSS color, received directlyfrom the other device (e.g., an AP). This detection of the BSS colorcollision may be based on analyzing various color information, comparingcolors or other numerical or qualitative indicators, other operations,or some combination of these. In other examples, this same technique andmethod may be used with other devices (e.g., STAs). In someimplementations, the first AP may enable or disable a BSS color based ondetecting the BSS color collision with the other device (e.g., a secondAP). In some cases, the first AP may adjust (e.g., enable, disable) aBSS color based on determining that the BSS color collision with theother device continues for a duration that satisfies a threshold period.In some cases, the first AP may determine to perform a BSS color changebased on the BSS color collision continuing for a duration thatsatisfies a threshold period (e.g., a number of beacon intervals).

In some implementations, a communication range of the first AP may bebased on a coverage area 110-a associated with the first AP (e.g., AP105-a). In other implementations, a communication range of the first APmay not be based on a coverage area 110-a and may be broader or narrowerthan the coverage area 110-a. Alternatively or additionally, in someexamples, the first AP may identify at least one BSSID and perform atleast one action based on the identified at least one BSSID. In someimplementations, the BSSID may be identified based on communications(e.g., frames) received from an AP, a STA, or a combination thereof. Asdescribed above, the first AP may identify a first BSSID associated withthe first AP and identify a second BSSID associated with the second APbased on information from a received frame or message transmitted from aSTA or another AP. In some examples, identifying the second BSSIDassociated with the second AP may be based on at least one transmissionreceived from a STA (e.g., STA 115-a, STA 115-b) within a first BSSassociated with the first AP or outside the first BSS associated withthe first AP. In other examples, identifying the second BSSID associatedwith the second AP may be based on at least one transmission receivedfrom an AP (e.g., AP 105-c) within a first BSS associated with the firstAP or an AP (e.g., AP 105-b) outside the first BSS. In someimplementations, the transmission received by the first AP may conveyBSS color information, BSSID information, or other information about thetransmitting AP, another AP (e.g., a third AP), or some combination.

The first AP may determine that the first BSSID is different from thesecond BSSID. In some implementations, this may be based on comparing atleast one received transmission including BSSID information, evaluatingvarious parameters associated with BSS color information including BSScolor or BSSID associated with at least one device, other operations, orsome combination. In some examples, the first AP may determine that afirst BSSID associated with the first AP is different from a secondBSSID associated with the second AP—in conjunction with or independentof BSS color information or related operations.

In some implementations, one device may have multiple BSSIDs associatedwith it and any evaluation, identification, or determination (amongother operations) of or related to these multiple BSSIDS and otherBSSIDs associated with other devices may account for the various BSSIDs.For example, a first AP (e.g., AP 105-a) may have one BSSID associatedwith itself or may have a number of BSSIDs associated with itself in amultiple BSSID element, including, but not limited to, a virtual BSSIDelement division. In this example, the first AP may identify themultiple BSSIDs associated with itself (or any other device or devicesin other examples) when identifying various BSSIDS or determining anysimilarity or overlap between the various BSSIDs. The first AP mayaccount for the multiple BSSIDs when detecting any BSS color collisionor resolving any detected BSS color collision.

In some examples, determining that the first BSSID is different from thesecond BSSID may be linked to, dependent on, or correlated with otheroperations to determine whether at least one BSS color associated withthe first AP and the second AP (among other devices) are the same (e.g.,overlap) or are different. For example, if the first AP determines thata first BSS color is different from a second BSS color, the first AP maynot perform any additional action (e.g., identifications,determinations) to evaluate or identify any BSSID. Alternatively, if thefirst AP determines that a first BSS color is the same as a second BSScolor, the first AP may perform at least one additional action (e.g.,identifications, determinations) to evaluate at least one BSSID.

Based on determining that the first BSSID associated with the first AP(or multiple BSSIDs associated with a first AP) is/are different from asecond BSSID associated with a second AP (or other device), the first APmay detect a BSS color collision. Based on this detection, the first APmay initiate or perform various operations to resolve this BSS colorcollision.

For example, the first AP may indicate a BSS color collision to at leastsome—if not all—devices associated with the first AP. In someimplementations, this indication may include indicating the BSS colorcollision to STAs, APs, other devices, or some combination. As oneexample, the first AP may indicate the BSS color collision to at leastsome of its associated STAs via at least one operation element (e.g.,high-efficiency (HE) operation elements). An AP may detect a BSS colorcollision based on receiving frames from an OBSS STA including a sameBSS color as the one it has selected for its BSS. Alternatively, the APmay detect a BSS color collision based on receiving autonomous BSS colorcollision reports from its associated STAs. The AP may set a BSS colordisabled subfield to a value (e.g., 0 or 1) in the operation elementthat it transmits if the BSS color collision duration satisfies athreshold period. For example, an AP may enable or disable a BSS colorbased on a BSS color collision continuing for a duration that satisfiesa threshold period. If an AP determines that a BSS color collisioncontinues for a threshold interval (e.g., a number of beacon intervals),the AP may disable a BSS color to decrease communication inefficiencyfor the AP, or communicating STAs, or both. In some implementations, anAP may additionally or alternatively determine to perform a BSS colorchange based on the BSS color collision continuing for a duration thatsatisfies the threshold period (e.g., a number of beacon intervals).

In some implementations, an AP may determine to change a BSS color basedon received BSS color information of OBSS APs or autonomous collisionreports received from associated STAs when selecting the value of itsBSS color. In some examples, the autonomous reporting may include BSScolor information associated with one or more OBSSs that the STAdetected in order to help its associated AP select a new non-overlappingBSS color when the AP decides to change to a different BSS color. Insome examples, the AP may transmit a BSS color change announcement in adata frame. The BSS color change announcement may an action or no actionframe. The data frame also may be protected. In some implementations,the AP may transmit a BSS color change announcement in a beacon, aspecial beacon (e.g., an extended range (ER) beacon), a separate frame(e.g., management frame or data frame), or a TIM frame, or anycombination thereof. The AP may also, in some implementations, indicatea BSS color disabled in a bit or field of a beacon, or in a separateframe from the beacon. For example, an AP may assign a bit in a BSScolor change announcement element to indicate that a BSS color isdisabled. Alternatively, an AP may assign a field in a BSS color changeannouncement element to indicate that a BSS color is disabled. The APmay also in some implementations, indicate partial BSS color disabled ina bit or field of a beacon, or a separate frame (e.g., management frame,data frame).

In some implementations, a BSS color change announcement may betransmitted in a beacon. In some cases, a STA may determine to parse abeacon for a BSS color change announcement based on an indicationreceived in a special frame. In some cases, a special frame may includea traffic indication map (TIM) frame, a data frame, a management frame,an ER frame, a HD format frame, a VHD format frame, or a combinationthereof. A special frame, in some examples, may also include one or morefields in which a BSS color change announcement may be transmittedwithin or an indication of a BSS color change announcement. For example,an AP may transmit a BSS color change announcement using one or morefields of a special frame. At least one field of a special frame mayinclude a BSS color change announcement. For example, a check beaconfield of a special frame (e.g., TIM frame) may include the BSS colorchange announcement. The value in the check beacon field may incrementbased on a change associated with one or more other fields of values ofa beacon associated with the special frame, or when a new field orelement is assigned to the beacon. In some examples, the special framemay include attribute values associated with the AP. For example, theattribute value may include a BSS color value, a BSS color enabled ordisabled field value, etc. The AP may transmit the special frame in abeacon to one or more STAs during a transmission interval. The one ormore STAs may listen for the special frame during a listening intervalassociated with the transmission interval. Once the STAs receive thespecial frame, the STAs may parse the special frame and identifyattribute values within it. The STA may determine to check the beaconbased on the special frame. For example, the STA may identify that a BSScolor is disabled based on a bit or field of the special frame. In someimplementations, the attribute values may indicate that a partial BSScolor is disabled.

In some examples, a special frame may include an operation element(e.g., HE operation element) that may indicate that a BSS color isenabled or disabled. In some examples, the at least one operationelement may be updated after detecting the BSS color collision. In someimplementations, the operation element may be updated relative to aperiod (e.g., DTIM period, TBTT period). As merely one example, theoperation element may be updated at or during a next threshold period(e.g., a next DTIM period, a TBTT period), at another time, or based onsome combination. In some examples, the at least one device, such as thefirst AP, may advertise, signal, or transmit color collision informationin a DTIM period, including, but not limited to, starting the nextoccurrence of a DTIM period. In some examples, this color collisioninformation may include or relate to—among other things—BSS colorinformation, BSS colors, BSSID information, BSSID values, otherinformation, or some combination. In some implementations, the colorcollision information may include information received in at least oneframe from an AP, a STA, or some combination. In some implementations,the BSS color may be an n-bit value. For example, a BSS color may be a6-bit value. In some implementations, an AP (e.g., AP 105-a) may selecta value in a range of 1 to 63 as the n-bit value for a BSS color fieldof an operation element. In some implementations, an n-bit value for aBSS color field of an operation element may indicate whether a BSS coloris disabled or enabled. Additionally or alternatively, an additionalfield or bit of an operation element may indicate whether a BSS color isdisabled or enabled.

As one example, the first AP (e.g., AP 105-a) may adjust or set a BSScolor to a specific predetermined or predefined color to indicate a BSScolor collision, or indicate whether a BSS color is disabled, or both,and may transmit this information to at least one other device. Based onthis BSS color or BSS color disabled indication, another device (e.g.,STA) may perform at least one operation—based on instructions from an AP(e.g., the first AP), based on a protocol, specification, orinstruction, or based on at least one standard. As an example, the firstAP may set the BSS color to a predetermined BSS color value (e.g., avalue 0). When a device, such as a STA, receives the operation elementindicating this predetermined color, the device may perform actions orprevent actions defined in the specifications specific to or associatedwith the predetermined BSS color (such as a 0 value), including avoidinginitiating a power save, ceasing to examine BSS color information infuture transmission, or other actions.

In some implementations, an OBSS may use a same BSS color and may bevisible to STAs, but may or may not be visible to the APs of the BSS.The first AP may set a portion of a packet or other information elementto signal a BSS color collision (e.g., overlapping BSS colors associatedwith devices, such as APs). In some examples, the first AP may set a bitto signal this BSS color overlap. This bit, in some implementations, maybe a single, designated bit designed to specifically signal a BSS colorcollision. As an example, a bit may signal that a BSS color collisionexists based on a first predetermined bit value (e.g., bit value 1), anda bit may signal that a BSS color collision does not exist based on asecond predetermined bit value (e.g., bit value 0). This bit may signala BSS color collision whether or not the first AP continues to transmitthe first BSS color (the BSS color that created the BSS colorcollision), where a device (e.g., a STA) may disregard thestill-transmitted BSS color based on the signaling bit. A bit may, insome examples, signal that a BSS color is disabled in addition to theBSS color collision existing. Based on a bit value indicated a BSS colorcollision exists, a STA may ignore a BSS color advertised by anyAP—including the first AP or a second AP (e.g., when the STA isassociated with the second AP or at least receiving BSS colorinformation from the second AP). Thus, the STA may ignore an overlappingBSS color received from the second AP based on the received bit valueindicating a BSS color collision.

As another example, the first AP (which may be an example ofhigh-efficiency AP) may select a new, non-overlapping BSS color for itsBSS. This selection may be based on various actions or operations.

In some implementations, based on channel scanning or independent of thechannel scanning, the first AP may select a random value from the BSScolor set. A first AP may know or have received a predetermined BSScolor set or related BSS color parameters. The first AP may generate arandom value from the BSS color set using a random number generator, apseudo-random number generator, or another method. In someimplementations, the first AP may generate the random value independentof other BSS colors or other information associated with other devices,including other APs. In other implementations, the first AP may generatethe random value while accounting for other BSS colors associated withitself or other devices—inside or outside a communication range of thefirst AP.

In some implementations, the first AP may maintain its BSS color andcontinue transmitting BSS color information to at least one other STA,AP, or other device. In some examples, this may include an APmaintaining a predetermined BSS color (e.g., a value of 0)—enabling adevice receiving the BSS color information containing this color toinitiate or perform actions based on at least one specification,protocol, or instruction, among other things.

In some implementations, the first AP may gather information regardingBSS colors used by at least one other device, (e.g., APs). This mayinclude gathering BSS color information from a neighboring AP ormultiple APs.

In some implementations, the first AP may scan the channel to identifyor determine the BSS color used by nearby APs. In some implementations,the first AP may scan the channel to identify or determine the BSS colorused by nearby APs before detecting the BSS color collision as part ofcollecting data, receiving communications from at least one AP or STA,or as part of identifying BSS color information to determine the BSScolor collision. Alternatively or additionally, this scanning may occurafter the detection of the BSS color collision, in some implementations,as a supplementary step, and may be based on communications between thefirst AP and at least one AP, STA, or some combination—through direct orindirect communication.

In some examples, the AP may receive information from one or devices(e.g., STAs, APs) indicating BSS colors associated with at least onedevice. Based on receiving the BSS color or other information, the firstAP may adjust to or select a new BSS color or disable a BSS color for apredetermined period based on various techniques and methods. In someexamples, the first AP may advertise, signal, or transmit the new BSScolor in a period, in an aperiodic fashion, or at a different time,including, but not limited to, a next period (e.g., DTIM period, TBTTperiod). In some examples, when the AP may advertise or transmit the newBSS color or an indication of a BSS color disable status, the AP mayreset a bit a portion of a packet or other information element (e.g., abit) to signal a BSS color collision. For example, the first AP mayreset a bit that initially signaled a BSS collision to a different valueindicating that no BSS color collision is currently detected, which maybe based on the new BSS color associated with the first AP. In someimplementations, a specific bit (e.g., a BSS collision bit) may be resetfrom a first predetermined value (e.g., bit value 1) indicating adetected BSS color collision to a predetermined second value (e.g., bitvalue 0) that does not indicate a detected BSS color collision.

Various methods for adjusting or selecting a new, non-overlapping BSScolor may be used. As a first example, a first device (e.g., the firstAP) may identify at least one BSS color based on at least onetransmitted message, frame, or report. As one example, the first AP mayidentify whether any frame or report (e.g., an event report) fromanother device (e.g., a STA) indicates that a BSS color is apredetermined value (e.g., a value 0). Based on identifying that thispredetermined value is present in at least a frame or a report (or othercommunication) from another device, the first AP may perform variousoperations to adjust or select a new non-overlapping BSS color, orenable or disable a BSS color for a predetermined period. In someexamples, these operations and others discussed in accordance with thisdisclosure are designed to identify whether other devices (e.g., APs)have detected the BSS color collision (or even a different BSS colorcollision), are attempting to remedy the detected BSS color collision,or have already remedied the detected BSS color collision. Theseoperations may apply whether or not other devices have identified anyBSS color collision.

An AP may detect a BSS color collision based on receiving frames from anOBSS STA including a same BSS color as the one it has selected for itsBSS. Alternatively, the AP may detect a BSS color collision based onreceiving autonomous BSS color collision reports from its associatedSTAs. The AP may set a BSS color disabled subfield to a value (e.g., 0or 1) in the operation element that it transmits if the BSS colorcollision duration satisfies a threshold period. For example, an AP maydisable a BSS color based on determining that a BSS color collisioncontinues for a period that satisfies a threshold interval. If an APdetermines that a BSS color collision continues for a thresholdinterval, the AP may disable a BSS color to reduce consuming excessivepower and avoid decreasing communication inefficiency for the AP, orcommunicating STAs, or both. In some implementations, an AP maydetermine to perform a BSS color change based on the BSS color collisioncontinuing for a duration that satisfies the threshold period.

In some implementations, an AP may determine to change a BSS color basedon received BSS color information of OBSS APs or autonomous collisionreports received from associated STAs when selecting the value of itsBSS color. In some examples, the autonomous report may include BSS colorinformation associated with one or more OBSSs that the STA detected inorder to help its associated AP select a new non-overlapping BSS colorwhen the AP decides to change to a different BSS color. A STA may reportBSS color collision based on detecting frames from OBSS STAs including asame BSS color as indicated by an associated AP. In some examples, thereporting may be performed autonomously. In some implementations, two ormore APs may be associated with same BSSID. In this implementation, aSTA may filter the two or more APs before determining whether a BSScolor collision exists.

As one example of adjusting or selecting a new, non-overlapping BSScolor, the first AP (or another device, including an AP or a STA) maygenerate a random number n in a predetermine range (e.g., between 0-5).In response, based on the random number (e.g. if the random number isbelow a threshold value, if the random number falls within a firstclassification, if the random number is odd), the first AP may wait fora predetermined time based on the random number and issue a secondrequest for a message, frame, or report relating to BSS colorinformation, BSSID information, BSS color collision information, somecombination, or other information. In some implementations, thepredetermined time may include n seconds or may be based on anotherrelationship between the random number and a period. Although a randomnumber is provided as one example, other numbers and values arecontemplated, including, but not limited to pseudo-random numbers,predetermined numbers, pattern-based numbers, other numbers orindicators, or some combination.

In response to the second request (e.g., message, frame, or report), thefirst, requesting AP may check or identify whether any information suchas a message, a frame, or a report indicates that a BSS color associatedwith or relating to another device (e.g., an AP, a STA) is apredetermined value. In some examples, if the predetermined valueincludes a first value (e.g., a 0 value) or a second value (e.g., thesame BSS color as the second color associated with the second AP thatled to the detection of the BSS color collision), the first AP may beginthis process again by generating a random number, and proceeding againas described.

Alternatively, based on the random number (e.g. if the random number isabove a threshold value, if the random number falls within a firstclassification, if the random number is even), the first AP may performat least one operation. As one example, the first AP may adjust thefirst BSS color to a new BSS color. In some examples, based on thegenerated random number (or other method, which is contemplated here),the first AP may simply pick a new BSS color in an effort stop thedetected BSS color collision. By picking a new BSS color, the first AP(and other devices) may avoid continually waiting for another device(e.g., another AP) to adjust or change its BSS color. This avoids thesituation where, if no device simply changed its BSS color information,the devices (e.g., APs) may each continuously check for changes in BSScolors that would never occur causing a continuous loop or unnecessarydelay.

In some examples, this adjustment (or selection) may be based on or mayaccount for the original BSS color that led to the detected BSS colorcollision, previous BSS colors associated with the first AP, BSS colorsassociated with the second AP, BSS color information received from atleast one other device (e.g., STA, AP) including current BSS colorinformation or past color information, other factors and transmittedframes or messages, or some combination. In some examples, thisadjustment (or selection) may be based on starting with predefined BSScolor range of possible values, eliminating values based on received orknown information (as described above), and generating a random new,non-overlapping BSS color associated with the first AP based on theremaining permissible values. In some examples, the predefined BSS colormay be within a predetermined range.

As a second example of adjusting or selecting a new, non-overlapping BSScolor, the first AP may adjust or select a new color based on a query toanother device. Based on a message, a received frame, or a report from aSTA, if the first AP determines that another AP (e.g., a neighboring AP,the second AP) has a same BSS color as the BSS color of the first AP,the first AP may query at least one AP or STA to request data. In someexamples, the query may be or include, but is not limited to, a proberequest, a backhaul link communication, other alternatives, or somecombination of these.

The first AP may identify devices within communication range of thefirst AP (e.g., within a coverage range of the first AP) and selectivelycommunicate with these devices. Additionally or alternatively, the firstAP may identify devices outside communication range of the first AP, butthat may be in communication range of a device (e.g., a STA) withincommunication range of the first AP. Based on identifying at least someof these devices (within or outside a communication range of the firstAP), the AP may query these devices directly, indirectly, or based onsome combination to detect or resolve a BSS color collision. As oneexample, the first AP (e.g., AP 105-a) may identify another AP (e.g., AP105-c) and a STA (e.g., STA 115-b) as within a communication range.Based on this, the first AP may send a direct query to the other AP(e.g. AP 105-c), the STA (e.g., STA 115-b), or both.

An AP (e.g., AP 105) may indicate a TBTT adjustment to the STA via ansection of a frame. The section may include a bit or field in an elementof the frame. In some examples, the frame may be a management frame forexample, a beacon, a probe response frame, an association response orrequest frame, re-association response or request frame, a special frame(e.g., ER frame, HD format, or VHD format), or some other action frame.A STA may receive a frame and adjust a TBTT based on identifying theTBTT adjustment in a bit of a field in an element of the frame. Asanother example, the first AP (e.g., AP 105-a) may identify at least oneother device (e.g., AP 105-b, a STA) outside its communication range viareceived transmissions from other devices. Based on a communication witha device (e.g., STA 115-b) within its communication range, however, thefirst AP may indirectly query at least one other device (e.g., AP 105-b,a STA) outside its communication range based on a query from the firstAP to an intermediate device (e.g., STA 115-b) and from the intermediatedevice to the device outside its communication range (e.g., AP 105-b).The first AP may receive an indirect response from the device outsideits communication range through the intermediate device. This responsemay provide BSS color information, BSSID information, BSS colorcollision information, other information, or some combination. In someexamples, the BSS color information may include a BSS color changeannouncement including a reference time when a BSS color change willoccur and an indication of a new BSS color selected by the AP. Thereference time is a countdown value associated with a TBTT. In someexamples, the STA may adjust the TBTT. For example, the STA maynegotiate a wake TBTT and listen interval for beacon frames it intendsto receive from an associated AP. The STA may adjust the TBTT based onreceiving a transmission schedule from the associated AP.

Additionally or alternatively, a BSS color change announcement mayinclude a reference time when a BSS color disable will occur and anindication of the BSS color disable assigned by the AP. The referencetime may also be a countdown value associated with a TBTT. In someexamples, a STA may adjust the TBTT. For example, the STA may negotiatea wake TBTT and listen interval for beacon frames it intends to receivefrom an associated AP. For example, a STA may be a target wake time(TWT) STA. As a TWT STA, the STA may attempt to receive beacons, dataframes, association frames etc. from an AP during the TBTT. In somecases, a STA may identify wakeup times to listen for beacons, dataframes, etc. For example, an AP may broadcast beacons during a wakeupinterval associated with a STA, the STA may wakeup during the wakeupinterval and listen for the beacons broadcasted from the AP. As such,the STA may be receive the BSS color change announcement and be awarethat a BSS color change will occur during a target beacon transmissiontime (TBTT) or the a BSS color is enabled or disabled, or both. Afterthe wakeup interval lapses, the STA may return to lower power mode.

In some implementations, a BSS color change announcement may beassociated with a number of bits and fields indicating BSS colorinformation, among others. An AP may indicate a BSS color changeannouncement to a STA in a beacon or a separate frame (e.g., managementframe, data frame). The AP may also, in some implementations, indicate aBSS color disabled in a bit or field of a beacon or in a separate framefrom the beacon. For example, an AP may assign a bit in a BSS colorchange announcement element to indicate that a BSS color is disabled.Alternatively, the AP may assign a field in a BSS color changeannouncement element to indicate that a BSS color is disabled. The APmay also indicate a partial BSS color disabled in a bit or field of abeacon, or a separate frame (e.g., management frame, data frame).

In response to a query (e.g., direct, indirect, or both), the first APmay receive a response from the queried device (e.g., an AP) directly,indirectly, or both. This response may be or include a management frameelement, a probe response, an association response, another response, ora combination thereof. In some implementations, the response mayindicate that a second AP is using the same BSS color as the first APthat transmitted the query. In some implementations, the response mayindicate whether the second AP has detected the BSS color collision(based on the non-overlapping BSS colors) or another BSS color collisioninvolving devices. Based on this response, the first AP may select a BSScolor from a predetermined set of possible BSS colors. In someimplementations, this selection may be based on a predetermined set thataccounts for the overlapping BSS color, other BSS colors in use by oneof the first AP or the second AP, other BSS colors in use by at leastone other different device, other information, or some combination ofthese.

In some implementations, the response may indicate that a second AP isusing a predetermined BSS color different from the BSS color associatedwith the first AP that transmitted the query. In some examples, thispredetermined BSS color may be a predetermined value that changes basedon at least one condition (e.g., time, communications, vendor) or maynot change based on a condition (e.g., a value of 0 may continue toindicate the same BSS color state). In some implementations, thepredetermined BSS color may indicate that the second AP has not adjustedor set a new BSS color (e.g., is still trying to select a new BSScolor). For example, the second AP may have disabled its current BSScolor. In other words, the second AP has not set a new BSS color, butinstead has adjusted by disabling a current BSS color for apredetermined period. Based on this response and identifying the BSScolor associated with the second AP, the first AP may generate a randomnumber n in a predetermined range (e.g., between 1-5).

In response, based on the random number (e.g. if the random number isabove a threshold value, if the random number falls within a firstclassification, if the random number is odd), the first AP may performat least one operation. As one example, the first AP may adjust thefirst BSS color to a new BSS color or may select a new BSS color (thatmay be generated at this time or may have been previously generated).Alternatively, the first AP may disable its BSS color for apredetermined period. For example, the first AP may monitor a BSS colorcollision to identify whether the BSS color collision continues for aperiod that satisfies a threshold interval. If the first AP determinesthat the BSS color collision continues to persists based on themonitoring, the first AP may adjust or select a new BSS color.Additionally, in some examples, based on the generated random number (orother methods which are contemplated in accordance with aspects of thisdisclosure), the first AP may simply pick a new, non-overlapping BSScolor. By picking a non-overlapping BSS color, the first AP (and otherdevices) may avoid waiting for another device (e.g., another AP) toadjust or change its BSS color and avoid significant delays or continuallooping.

Alternatively, in response, based on the random number (e.g. if therandom number is below a threshold value, if the random number fallswithin a first classification, if the random number is even), the firstAP may wait for a predetermined time based on the random number andissue a second request for a message, frame, or report relating to BSScolor information, BSSID information, BSS color collision information,some combination, or other information. In some implementations, thepredetermined time may include n seconds (or n milliseconds) or may bebased on another relationship between the random number and a period.Although a random number is provided as one example, other numbers andvalues are contemplated, including, but not limited to pseudo-randomnumbers, predetermined numbers, pattern-based numbers, other numbers orindicators, or some combination.

A STA or AP also may report beacon collision. For example, in an OBSSbeacons transmitted by a first AP may be colliding with beaconstransmitted by a neighboring AP. In some examples, the non-AP STA maydetect the beacon collision and transmit a report indicating the beaconcollision to the first AP or the neighboring AP, or both. In someexamples, the STA may report the beacon collision in addition to thedetected BSS color collision. For example, a bit or a subfield of a dataframe may indicate a BSS color collision, and another bit or subfield ofthe data frame may indicate the beacon collision. Additionally oralternatively, a STA may indicate in a bit of subfield or field of adata frame the type or report. For example, the STA may indicate thatthe event report is a BSS color collision report or that the eventreport is a beacon collision report. In the implementation that theevent report includes both the BSS color collision and beacon collisionreport, the STA also may indicate this with at least one bit or in asubfield or field of a data frame.

In response to a query (e.g., direct, indirect, or both), the first APmay not receive a response from the queried device (e.g., an AP)directly, indirectly, or both. Based on the lack of response or, in someimplementations, independent of a response, the first AP may select anew BSS color from a predetermined number of BSS colors. This new BSScolor may be based on or may account for the original BSS color that ledto the detected BSS color collision, previous BSS colors associated withthe first AP, BSS colors associated with at least one other AP (e.g.neighboring APs in BSSs), BSS color information received from at leastone other device (e.g., STAs, APs) including current BSS colorinformation associated with various APs, past color information, otherfactors and transmitted frames or messages, or some combination.

Alternatively, in some examples, the first AP may receive informationfrom another device, such as another AP, independent of any query orrequest. For example, the first AP may receive a beacon transmitted byanother AP, and the beacon may contain BSS color information, BSSIDinformation, BSS color collision information, other information, or acombination thereof. Based on this information, the first AP may detector resolve a BSS color collision.

In some implementations, the first AP may gather information regardingBSS color used by at least one other device (e.g., AP). This may includegathering information from APs, STAs, other devices, or some combinationto facilitate detecting a BSS color collision, adjusting or setting anew BSS color when a BSS color collision is detected, other operations,or some combination. This information gathering may include requesting,signaling, or transmitting various information in various forms.

As merely one example, the first AP may send a request to at least somedevices (e.g., STAs) associated with the first AP to gather BSS colorinformation related to other devices (e.g., other APs). For example, thefirst AP (e.g., AP 105-a) may send an event request frame (e.g.,9.6.14.2 REVmc D6.0) containing an event request element to at leastsome associated STAs to gather BSS color information of neighboring APs(e.g., AP 105-b).

In some examples, the event request element (e.g., 9.4.2.67 REVmc D6.0)may (or shall) contain an event token field, and event type field, anevent response limit, other information, or some combination. In someimplementations, the event token field may include at least one valueselected by the first AP, which may be based on the event request frame,BSS color information associated with the first AP, other information,or some combination. In some implementations, the event request elementmay include an event type field that may include a BSS color collisionreport that may indicate or contain a new BSS color or a BSS colordisable related to the first AP or another device, among otherinformation. In some examples, values 4-220 and 222-225 may be reservedand may relate to or include the new BSS color. In some implementations,the event request element may include an event response limit indicatinga number of times that a device (e.g., a STA) may respond or attempt torespond to the event request. In other implementations, the eventresponse limit may indicate a frequency that a STA may respond or otherrelated information. In some implementations, the event request fieldshall not be present.

In some implementations, the event request may be sent to all the STAsassociated with the first AP enabling comprehensive gathering of BSScolor information. In other examples, the event request may be sent tosome of the STAs associated with the first AP by design. In thisimplementation, various factors may be accounted for in identifying ordetermining which of the STAs associated with the first AP may receive arequest and become part of a selected group or subset. In someimplementations, the selected group or subset may be determined based ona separate transmission or a response to a separate transmission.

In some examples, this may include accounting for RSSI. As one example,the first AP may select a group or a subset that includes devices (e.g.,STAs) associated with RSSIs relative to (e.g., below, above, within arange of) a threshold value or that are lower compared to other RSSIs,which may in some implementations allow the first AP to receiveinformation from devices that may be located farther from the first APand increase the amount and breadth of gathered BSS colorcollision-related data received. For example, in some implementations,an AP may independently request or receive information from other APs(or other devices) within communication range of the first AP. In someimplementations, this could be a periodic request or reception,aperiodic request or reception, or some combination. In conjunction withthis or independent of this, the first AP may select at least one STA orother device (based on RSSI) that is farther away or that is at apredetermined position relative to the APs communication range toreceive information about APs or other devices that the first AP wouldnot be able to capture itself.

As another example, the first AP may select a group or a subset thatincludes devices (e.g., STAs) that the first AP is aware of and hascommunicated with before (e.g., based on a history or historical data).For example, the first AP may determine or identify that a subset ofdevices have the fewest number of overlapping APs (serving APs or APsassociated with the devices), which may increase the amount and breadthof gathered BSS color collision-related data. At least some—if notall—of these devices may be selected by the first AP.

As another example, the first AP may select a mixture of various devicetypes or devices located at varying distances to provide data relatingto the serving devices or devices that may be in communication with theselected subset or group. This may include selecting a sample of devicesbased on each device's distance from the first AP or another device,enabling collecting varying data from various devices. In someimplementations, the selected group or subset may be determined based onvarious factors, considerations, or combinations thereof.

As an additional example, the first AP may select a group or a subsetthat includes devices (e.g., STAs) that are capable of providing therequested information (e.g., that can support the requested report typerelated to a BSS color collision), that support a request (e.g., anevent request, a BSS color collision request), or some combination. Insome implementations, whether a device supports the request may be basedon an extended capabilities element and whether such an element isenabled or would support the request. As one example of this, the firstAP, which may be associated with a first vendor, may select a group ofsubset that includes devices associated with a vendor, including, butnot limited to, the same first vendor. This may be based on the devicesassociated with a vendor as supporting a request or a requestedresponse, such as having an extended capabilities element.

In some examples, a device (e.g., a STA) that receives an event requestrelated to or of a type associated with a BSS color collision reportshall respond back to the first AP with various information. Thisvarious information may include information regarding BSS colorinformation associated with various devices in the same BSS or aseparate BSS that includes other devices. For example, the first AP mayreceive a response from a STA based on an event request received by theSTA (e.g., STA 115-b) from the first AP (e.g., AP 105-a).

In some examples, the event request and event report operations may bebased on the 802.11v standard or an extension of this standard. In someexamples, these steps and others discussed in accordance with thisdisclosure are designed to identify whether other devices (e.g., APs)have detected the BSS color collision (or even a different BSS colorcollision), are attempting to remedy the detected BSS color collision,or have already remedied the detected BSS color collision.

In some examples, at least one device (e.g., a STA) may transmit anevent report. In some implementations, the event report may be based onreceiving at least one request (e.g., request from an AP to provide BSScolor information such as BSS color information, BSSID information,other BSS color collision information, or some combination). In otherimplementations, the event report may be based on at least one operationperformed by a STA. This at least one operation may include, but is notlimited to, detecting a BSS color collision—in conjunction with orindependent of any detection by a device (e.g., AP). For example, a STAmay receive various BSS color information, perform various operations,and detect at least one BSS color collision independent of any detectionby an AP.

As one example, a first STA (e.g., STA 115-b) may initiate or perform atleast one operation to detect a BSS color collision. In some examples,the first STA may be associated with a first AP, but may be positionedin overlapping geographic coverage areas (e.g., coverage areas 110-a,110-b) and receive information from a second AP (e.g., AP 105-b) orother devices (e.g., AP 105-c, other STAs, other devices). In someexamples, the first STA may identify or detect a first BSS colorassociated with a first AP (e.g., AP 105-a), a BSSID associated with afirst AP, other BSS color information associated with a first AP,itself, or at least one other device, or some combination. Thisinformation may be set based on at least one received transmission,default settings, protocols, instructions, or other methods. The firstSTA may receive a frame or a message (or other information) includingBSS color information or BSSID information (among other information)from a second AP that in is communication range with the first STA,other devices in communication with at least one other AP, or acombination thereof. In some implementations, the BSS color informationmay include a second BSS color, or a second BSSID, or combination ofthese associated with a second AP (e.g., AP 105-b). In someimplementations, the received frame may be received from a STA, an AP(e.g., AP 105-b), or at least one other device.

The first STA may determine or identify that the first BSS colorassociated with the first AP is the same as or is different from thesecond BSS color associated with the second AP. This determining oridentifying may be based on comparing the at least one frame with otherinformation, partially decoding at least some information, or bydetecting the first BSS color and the second BSS color and identifyingwhether the two colors are the same. In some implementations, the firstSTA may detect a BSS color collision based on whether two BSS colors arethe same or not. As one example, if the first STA (e.g., STA 115-b)receives BSS color information from another device, such as another AP(e.g., AP 105-c) within a communication range of the first STA, thefirst AP may detect a color collision based on the BSS colorinformation. In some examples, this detection may be based on BSS colorinformation received directly from at least one other device (e.g., AP,STA, some combination). This detection of the BSS color collision may bebased on analyzing various color information, comparing BSS colors orother numerical or qualitative indicators, comparing BSSIDs or othernumerical or qualitative indicators, other operations, or somecombination of these. In other examples, this same technique and methodmay be used with other devices (e.g., STAs).

In some examples, the first AP may identify at least one BSSID based oninformation from a received frame or message transmitted from a STA oranother AP, among other methods, and perform an action or actions basedon the identified at least one BSSID—separately or in conjunction withthe received BSS color information. In some implementations, the atleast one BSSID may be identified based on communications received fromat least one AP, at least one STA, or a combination thereof. Asdescribed above, the first STA may identify a first BSSID associatedwith the first AP (which the first STA may be associated with) andidentify a second BSSID associated with the second AP (which the firstSTA may not be associated with). In some examples, identifying thesecond BSSID associated with the second AP may be based on at least onetransmission received from a STA within a first BSS associated with thefirst AP or outside the first BSS (e.g., associated with a second BSS).In other examples, identifying the second BSSID associated with thesecond AP may be based on at least one transmission received from an AP(e.g., AP 105-c) within a first BSS associated with the first AP or anAP (e.g., AP 105-b) or outside the first BSS (e.g., associated with asecond BSS).

The first STA may determine that the first BSSID is different from thesecond BSSID. In some implementations, this may be based on comparing atleast one received transmission including BSSID information, evaluatingvarious parameters associated with BSS color information including BSScolor or BSSID associated with at least one device, other operations, orsome combination. In some examples, the first STA may determine that afirst BSSID or multiple BSSIDs associated with the first AP is differentfrom a second BSSID associated with the second AP.

In some implementations, one device may have multiple BSSIDs associatedwith it and any evaluation, identification, or determination (amongother operations) of or related to these multiple BSSIDS and BSSIDsassociated with other devices may account for the various BSSIDs. Forexample, a first AP (e.g., AP 105-a) may have one BSSID associated withitself or may have a number of BSSIDs associated with itself in amultiple BSSID element, including, but not limited to, a virtual BSSIDelement division. In this example, the first STA may identify themultiple BSSIDs associated with the first AP (or any other devices) whenidentifying various BSSIDS or determining any similarity or overlapbetween the various BSSIDs.

In some examples, determining that the first BSSID is different from thesecond BSSID may be linked to, dependent on, or correlated with otheroperations to determine whether at least one BSS color associated withthe first AP and the second AP (among other devices) are the same (e.g.,overlap) or are different. For example, if the first STA determines thata first BSS color associated with the first AP is different from asecond BSS color, the first STA may not perform an additional action oractions (e.g., identifications, determinations) to evaluate at least oneBSSID. Alternatively, if the first STA determines that a first BSS colorassociated with the first AP is the same as a second BSS colorassociated with the second AP, the first AP may perform an additionalaction or actions (e.g., identifications, determinations) to evaluate atleast one BSSID.

Based on determining that the first BSSID associated with the first AP(or multiple BSSIDs associated with a first AP) is/are different from atleast one second BSSID associated with a second AP (or other device),the first STA may detect a BSS color collision. Based on this detection,the first STA may initiate or perform various operations, which mayinclude initiating an event report or other reporting mechanism.

Based on the STA's detection of a detected BSS color collision, inresponse to an event request from another device (e.g., an AP), or somecombination, the STA may transmit an event report to at least onedevice, such as the first AP. As described above, this event report (orother reporting mechanism) may report information facilitating the firstAP or another device in detecting a BSS color collision or resolving aBSS color collision.

The event report may include various information and may take variousforms. In some examples, a STA (e.g., STA 115-b) may transmitinformation to at least one other device upon detecting a BSS colorcollision. As one example, a STA may transmit, upon detecting a BSScolor collision, an event report frame (e.g., 9.6.14.3 REVmc D6.0) thatmay include an event report element to its associated AP. In someexamples, an event report frame may include information enabling variousreporting method or types. For example, an event report frame mayinclude a dialog token enabling autonomous or non-autonomous reportingbased on a token value. For example, a first token value (e.g., apredetermined value, a 0 value) may enable or trigger autonomousreporting, while a second value may enable or trigger non-autonomousreporting.

In some examples, the even report element (e.g., 9.4.2.68 REVmc D6.0)shall contain an event token, an event type or definition of a new eventtype, an event status or definition of a new event status, an eventreport field, other information, or some combination. In some examples,the event token may indicate or contain an event token signaling orenabling autonomous or non-autonomous reporting based on the event tokenvalue. For example, a first token value (e.g., a predetermined value, a0 value) may enable or trigger autonomous reporting, while a secondvalue may enable or trigger non-autonomous reporting.

In some implementations, the event report element may define a new eventtype. This new event type may be based on or associated with a BSS colorcollision report regardless of whether the report indicates a detectedBSS color collision or not. In some implementations, the event type mayinclude a value that may indicate or contain an event type value relatedto BSS color collision reporting, among other information. In someexamples, values 4-220 and 222-225 may be reserved and may relate to orbe the new event type for BSS color collision reporting.

In some implementations, the event report element may define a new eventstatus. This new event status may be based on or associated with a BSScolor collision report regardless of whether the report indicates adetected BSS color collision or not. In some implementations, the eventstatus may include a value that may indicate or contain an event statusvalue related to BSS color collision reporting, among other information.In some examples, values 4-255 may be reserved and may relate to orinclude the new event status for BSS color collision reporting.

In other examples, a new event status may be based on a specific,predetermined value (e.g., a 0 value) indicating a successful operation.In conjunction with the new event status or based on the predeterminedvalue, the event report element may include an exception. Thisexception, in some implementations, may provide instruction to omit ornot include event timing synchronization function (TSF), coordinateduniversal time (UTC) Offset, event time error based on an event type,including, but not limited to when the event type corresponds to the BSScolor collision report value. This may, in some implementations,minimize transmissions of bit resources and conserve various resources.

In some examples, an event report field shall be present. Among things,the event report field may include a list of {BSSID, BSS color} tuple(s)for all the BSS in a communication range of the STA, or otherwiserelated to the STA, and a list of the respective colors related to otherdevices that the STA (e.g. a reporting STA) can see (e.g., communicatewith) at this time, saw or received in the past at any time, saw orreceived in the past within a predetermined time, or some combination.By including this information, the STA may provide information to atleast one other device (or even itself) to help in selecting a new,different (non-overlapping) color.

In other implementations, the event report or the event report elementmay contain additional fields. As merely one example, the event reportelement may contain a field indicating whether a second AP 105 hasdetected a collision based on a predetermined value within the field.This event report, which may be transmitted by a STA 115 to the firstAP, may allow the STA 115 to communicate to the first AP that at leastone other AP 105 has detected a BSS color collision with the first AP,another AP, another device, or some combination. Additionally oralternatively, this event report, which may be transmitted by a STA 115to the first AP, may allow the STA 115 to communicate to the first APconditions related to other devices, such as other APs. In someimplementations, the field also may provide additional informationrelating to the BSS color collision, including whether the device thathas detected the BSS color collision has initiated any operations torectify or resolve the BSS color collision (e.g., adjusted a BSS color,set a new BSS color, initiated a process or an operation to resolve thecollision).

A STA that is autonomously reporting a BSS color collision, may transmitan event report including a single event report element. The eventreport element may include an event token field value set to 0 or 1 forautonomous reporting. In some implementations, the event report elementmay include an event type field value for BSS color collision or beaconcollision reporting. The event report status field may be set to 0 or 1to indicate a status. In some implementations, the event report fieldmay include information identifying the BSS color used by a BSS or anOBSSs that the reporting STA is able to detect. A STA that requesting toautonomously report a BSS color collision to its associated AP mayschedule for transmission a BSS color collision event report frame orbeacon collision event report every n seconds or minutes, where n is aninteger. Unless the BSS color collision or beacon collision no longerexists or if the associated AP has set the BSS color disabled bit to 1in the operation element that it transmits.

Event requests enable a STA to request another STA to transmit real-timeevent reports. The types of events may include transition, RSNA,wireless network module (WNM) log, BSS color Collision, and peer-to-peerlink events. A transition event may be transmitted after a STAsuccessfully completes a BSS transition (e.g., changes BSS colors). Insome examples, transition events may be used to diagnose transitionperformance problems. A robust security network association (RSNA) eventreport may identify the type of authentication used for the RSNA. RSNAevents may be used to diagnose security and authentication performanceproblems. A WNM log event report may enable a STA to transmit a set ofWNM log event messages to a requesting STA. WNM log event reports may beused to access the contents of a STA's WNM log. A BSS color collisionevent report enables a STA to signal BSS color collision to itsassociated AP. A peer-to-peer link event report enables a STA to informthe requesting STA that a peer-to-peer link has been established.Peer-to-peer link event reports are used to monitor the use ofpeer-to-peer links in the network.

As shown in the examples below, and in accordance with various aspectsof the present disclosure, at least one octet may contain informationreported within the event report. In some implementations, the eventreport field may be 8-octets in length with each bit representing a BSScolor value. A value of 1 at a bit position indicates that the BSS colorvalue corresponding to that position is in use by OBSS as detected bythe reporting STA. The event report may be associated with a beacon,probe response, and re-association response frame, or a special frame,or a combination thereof. As a first example, first example octets mayinclude values associated with an element ID, a length, an event token,an event type, an event status (or event status report), an eventreport, other information, or some combination. In some implementations,the event status may be used to transmit a BSS color change announcementincluding a reference time when a BSS color change will occur and anindication of a new BSS color (e.g., BSS color_2) selected by an AP. Thereference time may be a countdown value associated with a TBTT. Forexample, the STA may negotiate a wake TBTT and listen interval forbeacon frames it intends to receive from an associated AP. An AP (e.g.,AP 105) may indicate a TBTT adjustment to the STA via an section of aframe. The section may include a bit or field in an element of theframe, for example, of the octets. In some examples, the frame may be amanagement frame for example, a beacon, a probe response frame, anassociation response or request frame, re-association response orrequest frame, or some other action frame. A STA may receive a frame andadjust a TBTT based on identifying the TBTT adjustment in a bit of afield in an element of the frame.

The STA may adjust the TBTT based on receiving a transmission schedulefrom the associated AP. Additionally or alternatively, the event reportmay include the BSS color change announcement including the referencetime and the indication of the new BSS color selection by an AP, or aBSS color disabled operation by the AP. In some implementations, theevent token may be set to a number of TBTTs remaining until the APtransmits the BSS color change announcement and updates to the new BSScolor selected by the AP, or disables the BSS color. In someimplementations, the event toke may be set to a value 0 to indicate thatthe AP will switch to the new selected BSS color at a current TBTT or anext TBTT subsequent to the current frame.

Additionally or alternatively, a non-AP STA may report beacon collision.For example, in an OBSS beacons transmitted by a first AP may becolliding with beacons transmitted by a neighboring AP. In someexamples, the non-AP STA may detect the beacon collision and transmit areport indicating the beacon collision to the first AP or theneighboring AP, or both. In some examples, the STA may report the beaconcollision in addition to the detected BSS color collision. For example,a bit or a subfield of a data frame may indicate a BSS color collision,and another bit or subfield of the data frame may indicate the beaconcollision. Additionally or alternatively, a STA may indicate in a bit ofsubfield or field of a data frame the type or report. For example, theSTA may indicate that the event report is a BSS color collision reportor that the event report is a beacon collision report. In theimplementation that the event report includes both the BSS colorcollision and beacon collision report, the STA also may indicate thiswith at least one bit or in a subfield or field of a data frame.

In some examples, the octets may include at least one element that maybe or include a constant length or other characteristic (e.g., 1), whileat least one element (e.g., event report) may be or include a variablelength or characteristic as indicated. In some examples, the event tokenfield in a response element associated with an event report shall havethe same value as the event token field in the previously-received eventrequest element from the first AP, enabling coordination between thedifferent devices and the event request and event reporting mechanisms.In some examples, the event reporting field may be set to the new BSScolor value that the AP selected for use starting from the TBTT at whichthe AP will change its BSS color in response to the countdown valuebeing reached.

Event Event Report = Type = Event N x Event BSS Status {BSSID, ElementToken = color Report = BSS ID Length 0 Collision Value color} Octets: 11 1 1 1 variable

As another example and in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure, second example octets may include values associated withvarious BSSIDs, BSS colors, other information, or some combination. Forexample, these second octets (or a single octet) may store BSSinformation, including at least one BSSID and at least one BSS colorassociated with respective BSS devices, including a first device (e.g.,BSSID_1, BSS color_1), a second device (e.g., BSSID_2, BSS color_2), upto N devices (e.g., BSSID N, BSS color N). In some implementations, theBSS information may of the octets may include a subfield for an AP todisable a BSS color. In some examples, an AP 105 may disable a BSS colorvia at least one bit in a BSS color field (e.g., BSS color_1) of thesecond octets (or the single octets) based on determining a BSS colorcollision or that the BSS color collision continues for a duration. Forexample, AP 105 may disable a BSS color by setting a value of the atleast one bit in the BSS color field associated with the stored BSSinformation to a value 1. Alternatively, in some implementations, if AP105 determines that no BSS color collision occurred, that is AP 105 doesnot detect any BSS color overlap associated with two or more BSSs or aOBSS, AP 105 may set a value of the at least one bit in the BSS colorfield associated with the stored BSS information to a value 0. Thesesecond example octets may store or include information that will bepresent in or related to the event report itself or the event reportelement.

BSS BSS BSS BSSID_1 color_1 BSSID_2 color_2 . . . BSSID_N color_N Oc- 61 6 1 . . . 6 1 tets:

As another example, an AP may generate and transmit a bitmap to one ormore STAs. The bitmap may be a n octet number bitmap where n is aninteger; for example a 6 octet or 8 octet bitmap with 64 bit values witheach bit corresponding to a BSS color associated with an AP. A bitmapmay include one or more bits where at least some of the one or more bitsindicate a BSS color selected by an AP. In some implementations, an APmay transmit a bitmap in a BSS color change announcement to a STA in abeacon or a separate frame (e.g., management frame or data frame). TheAP may also, in some implementations, indicate a BSS color disabled in abit or field of a bitmap. For example, an AP may assign a bit in abitmap element to indicate that a BSS color is disabled. Alternatively,the AP may assign a field in a bitmap element to indicate that a BSScolor is disabled. The AP may also indicate a partial BSS color disabledin a bit or field of a bitmap. In some examples, a bitmap may indicateinformation about BSS colors in use by other APs around a particularSTA. For example, a bit value 1 may indicate that a BSS color is in use,while a bit value 0 may indicate that the BSS color is not in use.

BSS BSS BSS BSS BSS color 0 color_1 color_2 color_3 . . . color_NOctets: 6 1 6 1 . . . 1

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram 300 of a wireless device 305 that supportsBSS collision detection and resolution in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, wireless device 305may support BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution. Insome examples, this BSS attribute value collision detection andresolution may include, but is not limited to, BSS color collisiondetection and resolution. Wireless device 305 may be an example ofaspects of an AP 105 as described with reference to FIG. 1. Wirelessdevice 305 may include receiver 310, AP collision manager 315, andtransmitter 320. Wireless device 305 also may include a processor. Eachof these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., viabuses).

Receiver 310 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to BSS colorcollision detection and resolution). Information may be passed on toother components of the device. The receiver 310 may be an example ofaspects of the transceiver 635 described with reference to FIG. 6.

Receiver 310 may receive BSS color information including a second BSScolor associated with a second AP and receive other BSS colorinformation associated with the second AP based on the transmittedsecond event request. In some implementations, the received BSS colorinformation is associated with the second AP. In some implementations,receiving the BSS color information includes receiving a frame from adevice, where the device includes the second AP in communication rangewith the first AP. In some implementations, the received frame includesa beacon, or a management frame element, or a probe response, or anassociation response, or a combination thereof. Receiver 310, in someexamples, may receive other BSS color information associated with asecond AP based on an event request. In some implementations, receiver310 may receive BSS color information associated with the one or moreneighboring BSSs based on a response to a transmitted query. Receiver310 may receive a frame from a device, where the device includes aneighboring AP, a device participating in a neighboring BSS or a OBSS.

AP collision manager 315 may be an example of aspects of the APcollision manager 615 described with reference to FIG. 6. AP collisionmanager 315 may identify a first attribute value associated with thefirst AP, receive a second attribute value, and determine that the firstattribute value associated with the first AP is the same as the receivedsecond attribute value. The first attribute value associated with thefirst AP, or the received second attribute value, or both identified aBSS in a PHY layer header, or a preamble of a frame (e.g., data frame ormanagement frame), or both. In some implementations, the secondattribute value is associated with the second AP. The first attributevalue or the second attribute value, or both may be an n-bit valueidentifying a BSS, BSS color, BSSID, SSID, OBSSID, ESSID, or acombination thereof. AP collision manager 315 may detect a BSS collisionbased on determining that the first attribute value is the same as thesecond attribute value.

The first attribute value may include a first BSS color and the receivedsecond attribute value may include a second BSS color. AP collisionmanager 315 may identify a first BSS color associated with the first AP,determine that the first BSS color is the same as the second BSS color,and detect a BSS color collision based on the determining. In someexamples, AP collision manager 315 may identify a first BSSID associatedwith the first AP, and identify a second BSSID associated with thesecond AP from a received frame. The received frame may include a DTIMbeacon, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or acombination thereof. AP collision manager 315 may determine that thefirst BSSID is different from the second BSSID based on the identifying.

AP collision manager 315 may determine that a BSS color collisioncontinues for a duration that satisfies a threshold period. Thethreshold period may be predetermined by a network operator, or assignedby an end-user. In some implementations, AP collision manager 315 maydisable a BSS color via at least one bit in a BSS color fieldtransmitted in the DTIM beacon, the probe response frame, theassociation response frame, or a combination thereof based ondetermining that the BSS color collision continues for the duration. TheBSS color field may be an unsigned or signed integer value. The unsignedor signed integer value may identify a BSS color of a BSS associatedwith the first AP, or STA.

In some implementations, the unsigned or signed integer value mayindicate whether an intended receiving device (e.g., STA, AP) of a PPDUis not a member of a transmitting device's BSS. AP collision manager 315may adjust the first BSS color associated with the first AP to adifferent BSS color based on determining that the detected BSS colorcollision continues for a duration that satisfies a threshold value. Thethreshold value may be a different type of threshold compared to thethreshold period. For example, the threshold value may an operatingcharacteristic (e.g., receive and transmit power) over the duration.

In some implementations, AP collision manager 315 may generate a randomBSS color different from the first BSS color. In some implementations,AP collision manager 315 may adjust the first BSS color based on therandom BSS color. In some examples, adjusting the first BSS colorincludes selecting a new BSS color associated with the first AP based onat least one BSS color associated with an OBSS. The selected new BSScolor may include a non-overlapping BSS color distinct from the BSScolor associated with the OBSS. In some implementations, AP collisionmanager 315 may generate a color in a range. In some examples, the colormay be in a predetermined range. AP collision manager 315 may select thenew BSS color based on the range. In some implementations, AP collisionmanager 315 may identify an additional BSS color associated with thesecond AP from received other BSS color information.

AP collision manager 315 may determine that a color collision existsbetween at least one neighboring BSS and the first AP based on receivedBSS color information, and select a new BSS color for the first AP. Thenew BSS color may include a non-overlapping BSS color distinct from aBSS color indicated in the received BSS color information associatedwith the at least one neighboring BSS based on determining that thecolor collision exists. In some examples, the AP collision manager 315may be, include, or perform operations related to a BSS CollisionComponent 130 (e.g., 130-a, 130-b, 130-c), as discussed with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2.

Transmitter 320 may transmit signals generated by other components ofthe device. In some examples, the transmitter 320 may be collocated witha receiver 310 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 320may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 635 described withreference to FIG. 6. The transmitter 320 may include a single antenna,or it may include a set of antennas. Transmitter 320 may transmit BSScolor collision information to a STA served by the first AP based ondetermining that the BSS color collision continues for the duration. Insome examples, the BSS color collision information is transmitted in aDTIM beacon, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or acombination thereof. In some implementations, transmitter 320 maytransmit color information based on the maintained first BSS color to aSTA, transmit BSS color collision information during a next period(e.g., DTIM period, TBTT period), and transmit BSS color informationbased on the adjusted first BSS color to at least one STA served by thefirst AP.

In some implementations, transmitter 320 may transmit BSS colorinformation during the next period. Transmitter 320 may transmit BSScolor information in a DTIM beacon, a probe response frame, anassociation response frame, or a special frame, or a combination thereofbased on the adjusted first BSS color to at least one STA served by thefirst AP. The BSS color information may include a BSS color changeannouncement including a reference time when a BSS color change willoccur and an indication of a new BSS color selected by the first AP. Thereference time is a countdown value associated with a TBTT. In someexamples, the STA may adjust the TBTT. For example, the STA maynegotiate a wake TBTT and listen interval for beacon frames it intendsto receive from an associated AP. The STA may adjust the TBTT based onreceiving a transmission schedule from the associated AP.

Transmitter 320 may transmit an event request requesting BSS colorinformation to a STA. In some implementations, transmitter 320 maytransmit a second color in the range based on identified additional BSScolor associated with the second AP from the received other BSS colorinformation. Transmitter 320 also may transmit an event requestrequesting BSS color information to a STA, where the received BSS colorinformation associated with a second AP is based on a response to thetransmitted event request. In some implementations, transmitter 320 maytransmit a second event request requesting BSS color information to aSTA, and transmit a second BSS color in the range based on identifyingthe additional BSS color associated with the second AP from the receivedother BSS color information. In some implementations, the BSS colorcollision information includes a BSS color based on the determined BSScolor collision. In some implementations, the BSS color includes apredetermined value. In some implementations, the transmitting BSS colorcollision information is independent of a bit indicating the detectedBSS color collision. In some implementations, the BSS color collisioninformation includes a single bit storing a value indicating thedetected BSS color collision. In some examples, transmitter 320 maytransmit a query requesting BSS color information associated with one ormore neighboring BSSs to one or more STAs associated with the first AP.Transmitter 320 may transmit the query to one or more STAs based on acoverage area associated with the first AP, the one or more STAs, orboth.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram 400 of a wireless device 405 that supportsBSS collision detection and resolution in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, wireless device 405may support BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution. Insome examples, this BSS attribute value collision detection andresolution may include, but is not limited to, BSS color collisiondetection and resolution. The wireless device 405 may be an example ofaspects of a wireless device 305 or an AP 105 as described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 3. The wireless device 405 may include receiver410, AP collision manager 415, and transmitter 420. The wireless device405 also may include a processor. Each of these components may be incommunication with one another (e.g., via buses).

The receiver 410 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to BSS colorcollision detection and resolution, etc.). Information may be passed onto other components of the device. The receiver 410 may be an example ofaspects of the transceiver 635 described with reference to FIG. 6.

The AP collision manager 415 may be an example of aspects of the APcollision manager 615 described with reference to FIG. 6. AP collisionmanager 415 also may include color identification component 425, colorcomparison component 430, and color collision component 435.

The color identification component 425 may identify a first attributevalue associated with a first AP. An attribute value may be an n-bitvalue, where n is an integer. In some implementations, the n-bit valuemay identify a BSS color. The color identification component 425 mayidentify a received second attribute value. The second attribute valuemay be associated with a second AP. The color identification component425 may identify a first BSS color associated with the first AP and asecond BSS color associated with the second AP.

The color comparison component 430 may determine that the firstattribute vale associated with the first AP is the same as the receivedsecond attribute value. In some implementations, color comparisoncomponent 430 may determine that the first BSS color is the same as thesecond BSS color. The color collision component 435 may detect a BSScolor collision based on the determining.

The transmitter 420 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device. In some examples, the transmitter 420 may be collocatedwith a receiver 410 in a transceiver module. For example, thetransmitter 420 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 635described with reference to FIG. 6. The transmitter 420 may include asingle antenna, or it may include a set of antennas.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram 500 of an AP collision manager 515 thatsupports BSS collision detection and resolution in accordance withvarious aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, APcollision manager 515 may support BSS attribute value collisiondetection and resolution. In some examples, this BSS attribute valuecollision detection and resolution may include, but is not limited to,BSS color collision detection and resolution. The AP collision manager515 may be an example of aspects of an AP collision manager 315, an APcollision manager 415, or an AP collision manager 615 described withreference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6. The AP collision manager 515 may includecolor identification component 520, color comparison component 525,color collision component 530, BSS identification component 535, coloradjustment component 540, random color component 545, event requestcomponent 550, and query component 555. Each of these modules maycommunicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via buses).

The color identification component 520 may identify a first attributevalue associated with a first AP. An attribute value may be an n-bitvalue, where n is an integer. In some implementations, the n-bit valuemay identify a BSS color. The color identification component 520 mayidentify a received second attribute value. The second attribute valuemay be associated with a second AP. The first attribute value associatedwith the first AP, or the received second attribute value, or bothidentifies a BSS in a PHY layer header. The color identificationcomponent 520 may identify a first BSS color associated with the firstAP and identify an additional BSS color associated with the second APfrom the received other BSS color information.

The color comparison component 525 may determine that the firstattribute vale associated with the first AP is the same as the receivedsecond attribute value. In some implementations, color comparisoncomponent 525 may determine that the first BSS color is the same as thesecond BSS color. The color comparison component 525 may detect a BSScolor collision based at on determining that the first attribute valueassociated with the first AP is the same as the received secondattribute value.

The color comparison component 525 may determine that the BSS colorcollision continues for a duration that satisfies a threshold period,and transmit BSS color collision information to a STA served by thefirst AP based on determining that the BSS color collision continues forthe duration. The BSS color collision information may be transmitted ina DTIM beacon, a probe response frame, an association response frame, ora combination thereof. The color comparison component 525 may transmitthe BSS color collision information during at least a next period (e.g.,DTIM period, TBTT period).

The BSS identification component 535 may identify a first BSSIDassociated with the first AP, identify a second BSSID associated withthe second AP from a received frame, and determine that the first BSSIDis different from the second BSSID based on the identifying.

The color adjustment component 540 may disable a BSS color, associatedwith the first AP, via at least one bit in a BSS color field transmittedin the DTIM beacon, the probe response frame, the association responseframe, or a combination thereof based on determining that the BSS colorcollision continues for the duration. The color adjustment component 540may adjust the first BSS color associated with the first AP to adifferent BSS color based on determining that the detected BSS colorcollision continues for a duration that satisfies a threshold value. Thecolor adjustment component 540 may transmit BSS color information in aDTIM beacon, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or aspecial frame, or a combination thereof based on the adjusted first BSScolor to at least one STA served by the first AP. The BSS colorinformation may include a BSS color change announcement including areference time when a BSS color change will occur and an indication of anew BSS color selected by the first AP. The reference time is acountdown value associated with a TBTT. In some examples, the STA mayadjust the TBTT. For example, the STA may negotiate a wake TBTT andlisten interval for beacon frames it intends to receive from anassociated AP. The STA may adjust the TBTT based on receiving atransmission schedule from the associated AP.

The color adjustment component 540 may adjust a first BSS colorassociated with the first AP based on the detected BSS color collision.In some implementations, color adjustment component 540 may generate acolor in a range, where selecting the new BSS color is based on thegenerated color. The color adjustment component 540 may adjust the firstBSS color associated with the first AP to a value different from thesecond BSS color associated with the second AP, set the first BSS colorassociated with the first AP based on an absence of a response to thetransmitted query, and maintain the first BSS color associated with thefirst AP at a same value. In some implementations, the adjusting thefirst BSS color includes selecting a new BSS color associated with thefirst AP based on the second BSS color associated with the second AP. Insome implementations, the new BSS color includes a non-overlapping BSScolor distinct from the second BSS color associated with the second AP.

The random color component 545 may generate a random BSS color differentfrom the first BSS color, where adjusting the first BSS color is basedon the random BSS color. In some implementations, adjusting the firstBSS color includes selecting a new BSS color associated with the firstAP based on at least one BSS color associated with an OBSS. The selectednew BSS color may include a non-overlapping BSS color distinct from theBSS color associated with the OBSS.

The event request component 550 may transmit an event request requestingBSS color information to a STA, where receiving BSS color informationassociated with the second AP is based on a response to the transmittedevent request. In some implementations, event request component 550 mayreceive other BSS color information associated with a second AP based onthe transmitted event request. The event request component 550 mayidentify an additional BSS color associated with the second AP from thereceived other BSS color information, and transmit a second color in therange based on identified additional BSS color associated with thesecond AP from the received other BSS color information.

The query component 555 may transmit a query requesting BSS colorinformation to a device, the device including the second AP incommunication range with the first AP, where receiving the BSS colorinformation is based on a response to the transmitted query. In someimplementations, transmitting the query includes transmitting the queryto the second AP based on a coverage area associated with the first AP.In some implementations, transmitting the query includes transmittingthe query to the second AP via a STA based on a coverage area associatedwith the first AP, or the STA, or a combination thereof. In someimplementations, the transmitted query includes a probe request, abackhaul link communication, other alternatives, or some combination ofthese.

The query component 555 may transmit a query requesting BSS colorinformation associated with one or more neighboring BSSs to one or moreSTAs associated with the first AP, and receive the BSS color informationassociated with the one or more neighboring BSSs based on a response tothe transmitted query. In some implementations, query component 555 maydetermine that a color collision exists between at least one neighboringBSS and the first AP based on the received BSS color information, andselect a new BSS color including a non-overlapping BSS color distinctfrom a BSS color indicated in the received BSS color informationassociated with the at least one neighboring BSS based on determiningthat the color collision exists. In some examples, query component 555may transmit the query to one or more STAs based on a coverage areaassociated with the first AP, the one or more STAs, or both. In someexamples, query component 555 may receive a frame from a device, thedevice includes a neighboring AP, a device participating in aneighboring BSS or a OBSS.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram of a system 600 including a device 605 thatsupports BSS collision detection and resolution in accordance withvarious aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, device 605may support BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution. Insome examples, this BSS attribute value collision detection andresolution may include, but is not limited to, BSS color collisiondetection and resolution. Device 605 may be an example of or include thecomponents of wireless device 305, wireless device 405, or an AP 105 asdescribed above, e.g., with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. Device 605may include components for bi-directional voice and data communicationsincluding components for transmitting and receiving communications,including AP collision manager 615, processor 620, memory 625, software630, transceiver 635, antenna 640, and I/O controller 645.

The processor 620 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., ageneral-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logiccomponent, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof).In some implementations, processor 620 may be configured to operate amemory array using a memory controller. In other implementations, amemory controller may be integrated into processor 620. The processor620 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions storedin a memory to perform various functions (e.g., functions or taskssupporting BSS color collision detection and resolution).

The memory 625 may include random access memory (RAM) and read onlymemory (ROM). The memory 625 may store computer-readable,computer-executable software 630 including instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to perform various functions describedherein. In some implementations, the memory 625 may contain, among otherthings, a Basic Input-Output system (BIOS) which may control basichardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheralcomponents or devices. The software 630 may include code to implementaspects of the present disclosure, including code to support BSS colorcollision detection and resolution. The software 630 may be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or othermemory. In some implementations, the software 630 may not be directlyexecutable by the processor but may cause a computer (e.g., whencompiled and executed) to perform functions described herein.

The transceiver 635 may communicate bi-directionally, via antennas,wired, or wireless links as described above. For example, thetransceiver 635 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicatebi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 635also may include a modem to modulate the packets and provide themodulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and to demodulatepackets received from the antennas. In some implementations, thewireless device may include a single antenna 640. However, in someimplementations the device may have more than one antenna 640, which maybe capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wirelesstransmissions.

The I/O controller 645 may manage input and output signals for device605. Input/output control component 645 also may manage peripherals notintegrated into device 605. In some implementations, input/outputcontrol component 645 may represent a physical connection or port to anexternal peripheral. In some implementations, I/O controller 645 mayutilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®,MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a wireless device 705 that supportsBSS collision detection and resolution in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, wireless device 705may support BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution. Insome examples, this BSS attribute value collision detection andresolution may include, but is not limited to, BSS color collisiondetection and resolution. Wireless device 705 may be an example ofaspects of a STA 115 as described with reference to FIG. 1. Wirelessdevice 705 may include receiver 710, STA collision manager 715, andtransmitter 720. Wireless device 705 also may include a processor. Eachof these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., viabuses).

The receiver 710 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to BSS colorcollision detection and resolution, etc.). Information may be passed onto other components of the device. The receiver 710 may be an example ofaspects of the transceiver 1035 described with reference to FIG. 10.Receiver 710 may receive a frame containing a BSS color informationincluding a second BSS color associated with a second AP.

The STA collision manager 715 may be an example of aspects of the STAcollision manager 1015 described with reference to FIG. 10. STAcollision manager 715 may identify a first attribute value associatedwith a first AP. In some examples, the STA collision manager 715 mayreceive a frame including a second attribute value. The frame may be aDTIM beacon, a probe response frame, an association response frame, aspecial frame, or a combination thereof. The first attribute value orthe second attribute value, or both may be an n-bit value identifying aBSS, BSS color, BSSID, SSID, OBSSID, ESSID, or a combination thereof.The STA collision manager 715 may identify that the first attributevalue and the received second attribute value are the same. The STAcollision manager 715 may detect a BSS collision based on determiningthat the first attribute value is the same as the second attributevalue.

The STA collision manager 715 may identify a first BSS color associatedwith the first AP, identify that the first BSS color associated with thefirst AP and the second BSS color associated with the second AP are thesame, and identify a first BSSID associated with the first AP. The STAcollision manager 715 may identify a second BSSID associated with thesecond AP from the BSS color information, determine that the first BSSIDis different from the second BSSID based on the identifying, and detecta BSS color collision based on the determination. In some examples, theSTA collision manager 715 may be, include, or perform operations relatedto a BSS Collision Component 130 (e.g., 130-a, 130-b, 130-c), asdiscussed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The transmitter 720 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device. In some examples, the transmitter 720 may be collocatedwith a receiver 710 in a transceiver module. For example, thetransmitter 720 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 1035described with reference to FIG. 10. The transmitter 720 may include asingle antenna, or it may include a set of antennas.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a wireless device 805 that supportsBSS collision detection and resolution in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, wireless device 805may support BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution. Insome examples, this BSS attribute value collision detection andresolution may include, but is not limited to, BSS color collisiondetection and resolution. Wireless device 805 may be an example ofaspects of a wireless device 705 or a STA 115 as described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 7. Wireless device 805 may include receiver810, STA collision manager 815, and transmitter 820. Wireless device 805also may include a processor. Each of these components may be incommunication with one another (e.g., via buses).

The receiver 810 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to BSS colorcollision detection and resolution). Information may be passed on toother components of the device. The receiver 810 may be an example ofaspects of the transceiver 1035 described with reference to FIG. 10.

The STA collision manager 815 may be an example of aspects of the STAcollision manager 1015 described with reference to FIG. 10. The STAcollision manager 815 also may include color identification component825, color comparison component 830, BSS identification component 835,and color collision component 840.

The color identification component 825 may identify a first attributevalue associated with a first AP. In some examples, the coloridentification component 825 may receive a frame including a secondattribute value. The frame may be a beacon (e.g., DTIM beacon, specialbeacon (ER beacon)), a probe response frame, an association responseframe, a special frame (e.g., TIM frame), or a combination thereof. Thefirst attribute value or the second attribute value, or both may be ann-bit value identifying a BSS, BSS color, BSSID, SSID, OBSSID, ESSID, ora combination thereof. The color identification component 825 mayidentify a first BSS color associated with a first AP. The colorcomparison component 830 may identify that the first attribute value andthe received second attribute value are the same. In someimplementations, color comparison component 830 may identify that thefirst BSS color associated with the first AP and the second BSS colorassociated with the second AP are the same. The BSS identificationcomponent 835 may identify a first BSSID associated with the first AP,identify a second BSSID associated with the second AP from the BSS colorinformation, and determine that the first BSSID is different from thesecond BSSID based on the identifying. The color collision component 840may detect a BSS color collision based on the determination.

The transmitter 820 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device. In some examples, the transmitter 820 may be collocatedwith a receiver 810 in a transceiver module. For example, thetransmitter 820 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver 1035described with reference to FIG. 10. The transmitter 820 may include asingle antenna, or it may include a set of antennas.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram 900 of a STA collision manager 915 thatsupports BSS collision detection and resolution in accordance withvarious aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, STAcollision manager 915 may support BSS attribute value collisiondetection and resolution. In some examples, this BSS attribute valuecollision detection and resolution may include, but is not limited to,BSS color collision detection and resolution. The STA collision manager915 may be an example of aspects of a STA collision manager 1015described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 10. The STA collisionmanager 915 may include color identification component 920, colorcomparison component 925, BSS identification component 930, colorcollision component 935, collision reporting component 940, and eventreport component 945. Each of these modules may communicate, directly orindirectly, with one another (e.g., via buses).

The color identification component 920 may identify a first attributevalue associated with a first AP. In some examples, the coloridentification component 920 may receive a frame including a secondattribute value. The frame may be a DTIM beacon, a probe response frame,an association response frame, a special frame, or a combinationthereof. The first attribute value or the second attribute value, orboth may be an n-bit value identifying a BSS color. The coloridentification component 920 may identify a first BSS associated with afirst AP. The color comparison component 925 may identify that the firstBSS color associated with the first AP and the second BSS colorassociated with the second AP are the same.

The BSS identification component 930 may identify a first BSSIDassociated with the first AP, identify, at the STA, a second BSSIDassociated with the second AP from the BSS color information, anddetermine, at the STA, that the first BSSID is different from the secondBSSID based on the identifying.

The color collision component 935 may detect, at the STA, a BSS colorcollision based on the determination. The collision reporting component940 may transmit a message indicating the detected BSS color collision.The event report component 945 may transmit an event report frameincluding an event report element to the first AP based on thedetermined BSS color collision. The event report may be generatedautonomously by the STA. In some implementations, the event reportelement includes an event report field containing a bitmap including oneor more bits where at least some of the one or more bits indicate acolor selected by an OBSS, or identifying BSSID information, or BSScolor information, or a BSS color collision detected by the second AP,or a BSS color disabled, or a combination thereof. In someimplementations, the event report element includes at least an eventreport field identifying BSSID information, or BSS color information, ora detected BSS color collision, or a combination thereof associated withat least one AP currently in communication range with the STA, orpreviously in communication range of the STA, or a combination thereof.In some implementations, the event report element includes at least oneevent report field identifying BSSID information, or BSS colorinformation, or a detected BSS color collision, or a combination thereofassociated with a first device in a first BSS and identifying BSSIDinformation, or BSS color information, or a detected BSS colorcollision, or a combination thereof associated with a second device in asecond BSS. In some implementations, the event report element includesan event token enabling autonomous reporting by the STA to the first AP.

FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a system 1000 including a device 1005 thatsupports BSS collision detection and resolution in accordance withvarious aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, device 1005may support BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution. Insome examples, this BSS attribute value collision detection andresolution may include, but is not limited to, BSS color collisiondetection and resolution. Device 1005 may be an example of or includethe components of a STA 115 as described above, e.g., with reference toFIG. 1. Device 1005 may include components for bi-directional voice anddata communications including components for transmitting and receivingcommunications, including STA collision manager 1015, processor 1020,memory 1025, software 1030, transceiver 1035, antenna 1040, and I/Ocontroller 1045.

The processor 1020 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., ageneral-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logiccomponent, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof).In some implementations, processor 1020 may be configured to operate amemory array using a memory controller. In other implementations, amemory controller may be integrated into processor 1020. The processor1020 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions storedin a memory to perform various functions (e.g., functions or taskssupporting BSS color collision detection and resolution).

The memory 1025 may include random access memory (RAM) and read onlymemory (ROM). The memory 1025 may store computer-readable,computer-executable software 1030 including instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to perform various functions describedherein. In some implementations, the memory 1025 may contain, amongother things, a Basic Input-Output system (BIOS) which may control basichardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheralcomponents or devices. The software 1030 may include code to implementaspects of the present disclosure, including code to support BSS colorcollision detection and resolution. The software 1030 may be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or othermemory. In some implementations, the software 1030 may not be directlyexecutable by the processor but may cause a computer (e.g., whencompiled and executed) to perform functions described herein.

The transceiver 1035 may communicate bi-directionally, via antennas,wired, or wireless links as described above. For example, thetransceiver 1035 may represent a wireless transceiver and maycommunicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. Thetransceiver 1035 also may include a modem to modulate the packets andprovide the modulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and todemodulate packets received from the antennas. In some implementations,the wireless device may include a single antenna 1040. However, in someimplementations the device may have more than one antenna 1040, whichmay be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiplewireless transmissions.

The I/O controller 1045 may manage input and output signals for device1005. Input/output control component 1045 also may manage peripheralsnot integrated into device 1005. In some implementations, input/outputcontrol component 1045 may represent a physical connection or port to anexternal peripheral. In some implementations, I/O controller 1045 mayutilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®,MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1100 for BSS collisiondetection and resolution in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some examples, method 1100 may support BSSattribute value collision detection and resolution. In some examples,this BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution may include,but is not limited to, BSS color collision detection and resolution. Theoperations of method 1100 may be implemented by an AP 105 or itscomponents as described herein. For example, the operations of method1100 may be performed by an AP collision manager 315, 415, 515, or 615as described with reference to FIGS. 3-6. In some examples, an AP 105may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of thedevice to perform the functions described below. Additionally oralternatively, the AP 105 may perform aspects the functions describedbelow using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1105, the AP 105 may identify a first attribute valueassociated with the AP 105. An attribute value may be an n-bit value,where n is an integer. In some implementations, the n-bit value mayidentify a BSS color. In other implementations, the n-bit value mayindicate a BSSID (e.g., MAC address associated with AP 105). The n-bitvalue also may indicate a SSID of a BSS. In some examples, the firstattribute value may identify a BSS in a PHY layer header. For example,the BSS color may be embedded in a field of the PHY layer header of adata frame or management frame. In some implementations, the attributevalue may be a BSS color field unique to each BSS. The operations ofblock 1105 may be performed according to the methods described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of theoperations of block 1105 may be performed by a color identificationcomponent 425 or 520 as described with reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1110, the AP 105 may receive a second attribute value. Thesecond attribute value may be associated with a second AP. Theoperations of block 1105 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations,aspects of the operations of block 1105 may be performed by a coloridentification component 425 or 520 as described with reference to FIGS.3-6.

At block 1115, the AP 105 may determine that the first attribute valueassociated with AP 105 is the same as the received second attributevalue. In this implementation, the first attribute value of a first BSSand the second attribute value of a second BSS may be a same n-bitvalue. The n-bit value may identify a BSS color associated with thefirst BSS, and a BSS color associated with the second BSS. Additionallyor alternatively, the attribute value of the first BSS and the secondBSS may include a same or different ID in addition to a BSS color. Forexample in the implementation of an extended service set (ESS), a firstAP and a second AP may have a same ESSID, but may have different BSScolors associated with the individual BSS of the first AP and the secondAP. The operations of block 1115 may be performed according to themethods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1115 may beperformed by a color comparison component 430 or 525 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1200 for BSS collisiondetection and resolution in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some examples, method 1200 may support BSSattribute value collision detection and resolution. In some examples,this BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution may include,but is not limited to, BSS color collision detection and resolution. Theoperations of method 1200 may be implemented by an AP 105 or itscomponents as described herein. For example, the operations of method1200 may be performed by an AP collision manager 315, 415, 515, or 615as described with reference to FIGS. 3-6. In some examples, an AP 105may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of thedevice to perform the functions described below. Additionally oralternatively, the AP 105 may perform aspects the functions describedbelow using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1205, the AP 105 may identify a first BSS color associated withthe first AP. The operations of block 1205 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1205 may beperformed by a color identification component 425 or 520 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1210, the AP 105 may receive BSS color information including asecond BSS color associated with a second AP. The operations of block1210 may be performed according to the methods described with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations ofblock 1210 may be performed by a receiver 310 or 410 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1215, the AP 105 may determine that the first BSS color is thesame as the second BSS color. The operations of block 1215 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 1215may be performed by a color comparison component 430 or 525 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1220, the AP 105 may detect a BSS color collision based on thedetermining. The operations of block 1220 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1220 may beperformed by a color collision component 435 or 530 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1300 for BSS collisiondetection and resolution in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some examples, method 1300 may support BSSattribute value collision detection and resolution. In some examples,this BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution may include,but is not limited to, BSS color collision detection and resolution. Theoperations of method 1300 may be implemented by an AP 105 or itscomponents as described herein. For example, the operations of method1300 may be performed by an AP collision manager 315, 415, 515, or 615as described with reference to FIGS. 3-6. In some examples, an AP 105may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of thedevice to perform the functions described below. Additionally oralternatively, the AP 105 may perform aspects the functions describedbelow using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1305, the AP 105 may identify a first BSS color associated withthe first AP. The operations of block 1305 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1305 may beperformed by a color identification component 425 or 520 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1310, the AP 105 may receive BSS color information including asecond BSS color associated with a second AP. The operations of block1310 may be performed according to the methods described with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations ofblock 1310 may be performed by a receiver 310 or 410 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1315, the AP 105 may determine that the first BSS color is thesame as the second BSS color. The operations of block 1315 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 1315may be performed by a color comparison component 430 or 525 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1320, the AP 105 may identify a first BSSID associated with thefirst AP. The operations of block 1320 may be performed according to themethods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1320 may beperformed by a BSS identification component 535 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1325, the AP 105 may identify a second BSSID associated withthe second AP from a received frame. The operations of block 1325 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 1325may be performed by a BSS identification component 535 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1330, the AP 105 may determine that the first BSSID isdifferent from the second BSSID based on the identifying. The operationsof block 1330 may be performed according to the methods described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of theoperations of block 1330 may be performed by a BSS identificationcomponent 535 as described with reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1335, the AP 105 may detect a BSS color collision based on thedetermining. The operations of block 1335 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1335 may beperformed by a color collision component 435 or 530 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6. Additionally or alternatively, the AP 105 maytransmit BSS color collision information to a STA served by the firstAP. These operations may be performed according to the methods describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects ofthese operations may be performed by a transmitter 320 or 420 asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 3-6. Additionally or alternatively,the AP 105 may adjust a first BSS color associated with the first APbased on the detected BSS color collision. These operations may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of these operations may beperformed by a color adjustment component 540 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1400 for BSS collisiondetection and resolution in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some examples, method 1400 may support BSSattribute value collision detection and resolution. In some examples,this BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution may include,but is not limited to, BSS color collision detection and resolution. Theoperations of method 1400 may be implemented by an AP 105 or itscomponents as described herein. For example, the operations of method1400 may be performed by an AP collision manager 315, 415, 515, or 615as described with reference to FIGS. 3-6. In some examples, an AP 105may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of thedevice to perform the functions described below. Additionally oralternatively, the AP 105 may perform aspects the functions describedbelow using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1405, the AP 105 may identify a first BSS color associated withthe first AP. The operations of block 1405 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1405 may beperformed by a color identification component 425 or 520 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1410, the AP 105 may transmit a query requesting BSS colorinformation to a device, the device including the second AP incommunication range with the first AP, where receiving the BSS colorinformation is based on a response to the transmitted query. Theoperations of block 1410 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations,aspects of the operations of block 1410 may be performed by a querycomponent 555 as described with reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1415, the AP 105 may receive BSS color information including asecond BSS color associated with a second AP. The operations of block1415 may be performed according to the methods described with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations ofblock 1415 may be performed by a receiver 310 or 410 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1420, the AP 105 may determine that the first BSS color is thesame as the second BSS color. The operations of block 1420 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 1420may be performed by a color comparison component 430 or 525 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1425, the AP 105 may detect a BSS color collision based on thedetermining. The operations of block 1425 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1425 may beperformed by a color collision component 435 or 530 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 for BSS collisiondetection and resolution in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some examples, method 1500 may support BSSattribute value collision detection and resolution. In some examples,this BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution may include,but is not limited to, BSS color collision detection and resolution. Theoperations of method 1500 may be implemented by an AP 105 or itscomponents as described herein. For example, the operations of method1500 may be performed by an AP collision manager 315, 415, 515, or 615as described with reference to FIGS. 3-6. In some examples, an AP 105may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of thedevice to perform the functions described below. Additionally oralternatively, the AP 105 may perform aspects the functions describedbelow using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1505, the AP 105 may identify a first BSS color associated withthe first AP. The operations of block 1505 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1505 may beperformed by a color identification component 425 or 520 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1510, the AP 105 may receive BSS color information including asecond BSS color associated with a second AP. In some examples,receiving the BSS color information includes receiving a frame from adevice. In some examples, the device includes the second AP incommunication range with the first AP. The operations of block 1510 maybe performed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS.1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block1510 may be performed by a receiver 310 or 410 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1515, the AP 105 may determine that the first BSS color is thesame as the second BSS color. The operations of block 1515 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 1515may be performed by a color comparison component 430 or 525 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1520, the AP 105 may detect a BSS color collision based on thedetermining. The operations of block 1520 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1520 may beperformed by a color collision component 435 or 530 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1525, the AP 105 may maintain the first BSS color associatedwith the first AP at a same value. The operations of block 1525 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 1525may be performed by a color adjustment component 540 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1530, the AP 105 may transmit color information based on themaintained first BSS color to a STA. The operations of block 1530 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 1530may be performed by a transmitter 320 or 420 as described with referenceto FIGS. 3-6.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1600 for BSS collisiondetection and resolution in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some examples, method 1600 may support BSSattribute value collision detection and resolution. In some examples,this BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution may include,but is not limited to, BSS color collision detection and resolution. Theoperations of method 1600 may be implemented by a STA 115 or itscomponents as described herein. For example, the operations of method1600 may be performed by a STA collision manager 715, 815, 915, or 1015as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10. In some examples, a STA 115may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of thedevice to perform the functions described below. Additionally oralternatively, the STA 115 may perform aspects the functions describedbelow using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1605, the AP 105 may identify a first BSS color associated withthe first AP. The operations of block 1205 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1605 may beperformed by a color identification component 425 or 520 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1610, the AP 105 may receive BSS color information including asecond BSS color associated with a second AP. The operations of block1610 may be performed according to the methods described with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations ofblock 1610 may be performed by a receiver 310 or 410 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1615, the AP 105 may determine that the first BSS color is thesame as the second BSS color. The operations of block 1615 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 1615may be performed by a color comparison component 430 or 525 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1620, the AP 105 may detect a BSS color collision based on thedetermining. The operations of block 1620 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1620 may beperformed by a color collision component 435 or 530 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1625, the AP 105 may determine that the BSS color collisioncontinues for a duration that satisfies a threshold period. Theoperations of block 1625 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations,aspects of the operations of block 1625 may be performed by a colorcollision component 435 or 530 as described with reference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1630, the AP 105 may transmit BSS color collision informationto a STA served by the AP 105 based on determining that the BSS colorcollision continues for the duration. The operations of block 1630 maybe performed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS.1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block1630 may be performed by a transmitter 320 or 420 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

At block 1635, the AP 105 may adjust the first BSS color associated withthe first access point, where adjusting the first BSS color associatedwith the first access point includes enabling or disabling the first BSScolor. The operations of block 1630 may be performed according to themethods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1630 may beperformed by a color collision component 435 or 530 as described withreference to FIGS. 3-6.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 for BSS collisiondetection and resolution in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some examples, method 1700 may support BSSattribute value collision detection and resolution. In some examples,this BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution may include,but is not limited to, BSS color collision detection and resolution. Theoperations of method 1700 may be implemented by a STA 115 or itscomponents as described herein. For example, the operations of method1700 may be performed by a STA collision manager 715, 815, 915, or 1015as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10. In some examples, a STA 115may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of thedevice to perform the functions described below. Additionally oralternatively, the STA 115 may perform aspects the functions describedbelow using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1705, the STA 115 may identify a first attribute valueassociated with a first AP. The operations of block 1705 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 1705may be performed by a color identification component 825 or 920described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1710, the STA 115 may receive a frame including a secondattribute value. The second attribute value may be associated with asecond AP. The operations of block 1710 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1710 may beperformed by a receiver 710 or 810 as described with reference to FIGS.7-10.

At block 1715, the STA 115 may identify that the first attribute valueand the received second attribute value are the same. The operations ofblock 1715 may be performed according to the methods described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of theoperations of block 1715 may be performed by a color comparisoncomponent 830 or 925 as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1800 for BSS collisiondetection and resolution in accordance with various aspects of thepresent disclosure. In some examples, method 1800 may support BSSattribute value collision detection and resolution. In some examples,this BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution may include,but is not limited to, BSS color collision detection and resolution. Theoperations of method 1800 may be implemented by a STA 115 or itscomponents as described herein. For example, the operations of method1800 may be performed by a STA collision manager 715, 815, 915, or 1015as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10. In some examples, a STA 115may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of thedevice to perform the functions described below. Additionally oralternatively, the STA 115 may perform aspects the functions describedbelow using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1805, the STA 115 may identify a first BSS color associatedwith a first AP. The operations of block 1805 may be performed accordingto the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1805 may beperformed by a color identification component 825 or 920 described withreference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1810, the STA 115 may receive a frame containing a BSS colorinformation including a second BSS color associated with a second AP.The operations of block 1810 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations,aspects of the operations of block 1810 may be performed by a receiver710 or 810 as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1815, the STA 115 may identify that the first BSS colorassociated with the first AP and the second BSS color associated withthe second AP are the same. The operations of block 1815 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 1815may be performed by a color comparison component 830 or 925 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1820, the STA 115 may identify a first BSSID associated withthe first AP. The operations of block 1820 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1820 may beperformed by a BSS identification component 835 or 930 as described withreference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1825, the STA 115 may identify a second BSSID associated withthe second AP from the BSS color information. The operations of block1825 may be performed according to the methods described with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations ofblock 1825 may be performed by a BSS identification component 835 or 930as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1830, the STA 115 may determine that the first BSSID isdifferent from the second BSSID based on the identifying. The operationsof block 1830 may be performed according to the methods described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of theoperations of block 1830 may be performed by a BSS identificationcomponent 835 or 930 as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1835, the STA 115 may detect a BSS color collision based on thedetermination. The operations of block 1835 may be performed accordingto the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1835 may beperformed by a color collision component 840 or 935 as described withreference to FIGS. 7-10.

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1900 for BSS colorcollision detection and resolution in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure. In some examples, method 1900 may support BSSattribute value collision detection and resolution. In some examples,this BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution may include,but is not limited to, BSS color collision detection and resolution. Theoperations of method 1900 may be implemented by a STA 115 or itscomponents as described herein. For example, the operations of method1900 may be performed by a STA collision manager 715, 815, 915, or 1015as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10. In some examples, a STA 115may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of thedevice to perform the functions described below. Additionally oralternatively, the STA 115 may perform aspects the functions describedbelow using special-purpose hardware.

At block 1905, the STA 115 may identify a first BSS color associatedwith a first AP. The operations of block 1905 may be performed accordingto the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1905 may beperformed by a color identification component 825 or 920 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1910, the STA 115 may receive a frame containing a BSS colorinformation including a second BSS color associated with a second AP.The operations of block 1910 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations,aspects of the operations of block 1910 may be performed by a receiver710 or 810 as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1915, the STA 115 may identify that the first BSS colorassociated with the first AP and the second BSS color associated withthe second AP are the same. The operations of block 1915 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 1915may be performed by a color comparison component 830 or 925 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1920, the STA 115 may identify a first BSSID associated withthe first AP. The operations of block 1920 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1920 may beperformed by a BSS identification component 835 or 930 as described withreference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1925, the STA 115 may identify a second BSSID associated withthe second AP from the BSS color information. The operations of block1925 may be performed according to the methods described with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations ofblock 1925 may be performed by a BSS identification component 835 or 930as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1930, the STA 115 may determine that the first BSSID isdifferent from the second BSSID based on the identifying. The operationsof block 1930 may be performed according to the methods described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of theoperations of block 1930 may be performed by a BSS identificationcomponent 835 or 930 as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1935, the STA 115 may detect a BSS color collision based on thedetermination. The operations of block 1935 may be performed accordingto the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 1935 may beperformed by a color collision component 840 or 935 as described withreference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 1940, the STA 115 may transmit a message indicating thedetected BSS color collision. The operations of block 1940 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 1940may be performed by a collision reporting component 940 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 7-10.

FIG. 20 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2000 for BSS colorcollision detection and resolution in accordance with various aspects ofthe present disclosure. In some examples, method 2000 may support BSSattribute value collision detection and resolution. In some examples,this BSS attribute value collision detection and resolution may include,but is not limited to, BSS color collision detection and resolution. Theoperations of method 2000 may be implemented by a STA 115 or itscomponents as described herein. For example, the operations of method2000 may be performed by a STA collision manager 715, 815, 915, or 1015as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10. In some examples, a STA 115may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of thedevice to perform the functions described below. Additionally oralternatively, the STA 115 may perform aspects the functions describedbelow using special-purpose hardware.

At block 2005, the STA 115 may identify a first attribute valueassociated with a first AP. The operations of block 2005 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 2005may be performed by a color identification component 825 or 920described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 2010, the STA 115 may receive a frame including a secondattribute value. The second attribute value may be associated with asecond AP. The operations of block 2010 may be performed according tothe methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In someimplementations, aspects of the operations of block 2010 may beperformed by a receiver 710 or 810 as described with reference to FIGS.7-10.

At block 2015, the STA 115 may identify that the first attribute valueand the received second attribute value are the same. The operations ofblock 2015 may be performed according to the methods described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of theoperations of block 2015 may be performed by a color comparisoncomponent 830 or 925 as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 2020, the STA 115 may detect a BSS color collision based on thefirst attribute value associated with the first access point being thesame as the received second attribute value. In some cases, the firstattribute value and the second attribute value may indicate a BSS color.For example, the first attribute value may be a BSS color associatedwith the first access point. In addition, the second attribute value maybe a BSS color associated with another STA or AP. The operations ofblock 2020 may be performed according to the methods described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of theoperations of block 2020 may be performed by a color comparisoncomponent 830 or 925 as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 2025, the STA 115 may transmit a message indicating thedetected BSS color collision. The operations of block 2025 may beperformed according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1and 2. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of block 2025may be performed by a color comparison component 830 or 925 as describedwith reference to FIGS. 7-10.

At block 2030, the STA 115 may receive from the first access point amessage indicating that the first attribute value is disabled based onthe transmitted message indicating the detected BSS color collision. Forexample, STA 115 may receive from the first access point a messageindicating that the first BSS color is disabled based on the transmittedmessage indicating the detected BSS color collision. The operations ofblock 2030 may be performed according to the methods described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In some implementations, aspects of theoperations of block 2030 may be performed by a color comparisoncomponent 830 or 925 as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

Techniques described herein may be used for various wirelesscommunications systems such as code division multiple access (CDMA),time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access(FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), singlecarrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), and other systems.The terms “system” and “network” are often used interchangeably. A codedivision multiple access (CDMA) system may implement a radio technologysuch as CDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc.CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards. IS-2000 Releasesmay be commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1×, 1×, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) iscommonly referred to as CDMA2000 1×EV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD),etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. Atime division multiple access (TDMA) system may implement a radiotechnology such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Anorthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system mayimplement a radio technology such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB),Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc.

The wireless communications system or systems described herein maysupport synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronousoperation, the STAs may have similar frame timing, and transmissionsfrom different STAs may be approximately aligned in time. Forasynchronous operation, the STAs may have different frame timing, andtransmissions from different stations may not be aligned in time. Thetechniques described herein may be used for either synchronous orasynchronous operations.

The downlink transmissions described herein also may be called forwardlink transmissions while the uplink transmissions also may be calledreverse link transmissions. Each communication link describedherein—including, for example, WLAN 100 (e.g., a wireless communicationssystem) and system 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2—may include carriers, where eachcarrier may be a signal made up of multiple sub-carriers (e.g., waveformsignals of different frequencies).

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appendeddrawings, describes example configurations and does not represent allthe examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of theclaims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example,instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous overother examples.” The detailed description includes specific details forthe purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques.These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the describedexamples.

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

Information and signals described herein may be represented using any ofa variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data,instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chipsthat may be referenced throughout the above description may berepresented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magneticfields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combinationthereof.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection withthe disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor,but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller,microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implementedas a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a digitalsignal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors,microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration).

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, softwareexecuted by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. Ifimplemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may bestored on or transmitted over as instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are withinthe scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to thenature of software, functions described above may be implemented usingsoftware executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, orcombinations of any of these. Features implementing functions also maybe physically located at various positions, including being distributedsuch that portions of functions are implemented at different physicallocations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as usedin a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrasesuch as “at least one of” or “one or more of”) indicates an inclusivelist such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C meansA or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storagemedia and communication media including any medium that facilitatestransfer of a computer program from one place to another. Anon-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way ofexample, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media caninclude RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read only memory(EEPROM), compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othernon-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired programcode means in the form of instructions or data structures and that canbe accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or ageneral-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the softwareis transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using acoaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line(DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave,the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriberline (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, andmicrowave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, asused herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the artto make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosurewill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other variations withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Throughout this disclosure,the term “example” or “exemplary” indicates an example or instance anddoes not imply or require any preference for the noted example. Thus,the disclosure is not to be limited to the examples and designsdescribed herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistentwith the principles and features disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for wireless communications, comprising:identifying, at a first access point, a first attribute value associatedwith the first access point, the first attribute value comprising afirst basic service set (BSS) color; receiving, at the first accesspoint, a message indicating a second attribute value comprising a secondBSS color and indicating that the first attribute value is the same asthe second attribute value, the message including an event reportelement indicating that the first BSS color and the second BSS colorcorrespond to overlapping BSSs (OBSSs), wherein the event report elementcomprises an event token enabling autonomous reporting to the firstaccess point; determining, at the first access point, that the firstattribute value associated with the first access point is the same asthe received second attribute value; and adjusting, at the first accesspoint, the first BSS color based at least in part on the messageindicating that the first attribute value is the same as the secondattribute value, wherein adjusting the first BSS color comprises settinga BSS color status of the first BSS color to disabled.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first attribute value associated with the firstaccess point, or the received second attribute value, or both identifiesa basic service set (BSS) in a physical (PHY) header.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the second attribute value is associated with a secondaccess point.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: identifying,at the first access point, a first BSS identifier (ID) associated withthe first access point; identifying a second BSSID associated with thesecond access point from a received frame; and determining that thefirst BSSID is different from the second BSSID based at least in part onthe identifying.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:detecting, at the first access point, a BSS color collision based atleast in part on determining that the first attribute value is the sameas the received second attribute value, wherein the BSS color collisioncontinues for a duration satisfying a threshold period.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, further comprising: transmitting BSS color collisioninformation to a station served by the first access point based at leastin part on determining that the BSS color collision continues for theduration, wherein the BSS color collision information is transmitted ina beacon, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or acombination thereof.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:transmitting the BSS color collision information during at least a nexttransmission period.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein adjusting thefirst BSS color further comprises: adjusting, at the first access point,the first BSS color via at least one bit in a BSS color fieldtransmitted in the beacon, the probe response frame, the associationresponse frame, or a combination thereof based at least in part ondetermining that the BSS color collision continues for the duration. 9.The method of claim 8, further comprising: adjusting the first BSS colorto a different BSS color.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:transmitting, to at least one station served by the first access point,BSS color information in a beacon, a probe response frame, anassociation response frame, or a special frame, or a combination thereofbased at least in part on adjusting the first BSS color.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the BSS color information comprises a BSS colorchange announcement including a reference time when a BSS color changewill occur and an indication of a new BSS color selected by the firstaccess point, wherein the reference time is a countdown value associatedwith a target beacon transmission time (TBTT).
 12. The method of claim8, further comprising: generating a random BSS color different from thefirst BSS color, wherein adjusting the first BSS color is based at leastin part on the random BSS color.
 13. The method of claim 8, whereinadjusting the first BSS color comprises selecting a new BSS colorassociated with the first access point based at least in part on atleast one BSS color associated with an overlapping BSS (OBSS), whereinthe selected new BSS color comprises a non-overlapping BSS colordistinct from the BSS color associated with the OBSS.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, further comprising: generating a color in a range, whereinselecting the new BSS color is based at least in part on the generatedcolor.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: transmitting anevent request, requesting BSS color information, to a station; receivingother BSS color information associated with a second access point basedat least in part on the transmitted event request; identifying anadditional BSS color associated with the second access point from thereceived other BSS color information; and transmitting a second color inthe range based at least in part on the identified additional BSS colorassociated with the second access point from the received other BSScolor information.
 16. The method of claim 6, further comprising:transmitting, to a station, an event request requesting BSS colorinformation, wherein receiving BSS color information associated with asecond access point is based at least in part on a response to thetransmitted event request.
 17. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: transmitting a query requesting BSS color informationassociated with one or more neighboring BSSs to one or more stationsassociated with the first access point; receiving the BSS colorinformation associated with the one or more neighboring BSSs based atleast in part on a response to the transmitted query; determining that acolor collision exists between at least one neighboring BSS and thefirst access point based at least in part on the received BSS colorinformation; and selecting, at the first access point, a new BSS colorcomprising a non-overlapping BSS color distinct from a BSS colorindicated in the received BSS color information associated with the atleast one neighboring BSS based at least in part on determining that thecolor collision exists.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein transmittingthe query comprises transmitting the query to one or more stations basedat least in part on a coverage area associated with the first accesspoint, the one or more stations, or both.
 19. The method of claim 1,wherein receiving the second attribute value comprises receiving a framefrom a device, wherein the device comprises a neighboring access point,a device participating in a neighboring BSS or a OB SS.
 20. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: adjusting the first BSS color to adifferent BSS color, wherein adjusting the first BSS color comprisessetting the BSS color status of the first BSS color to disabled bymodifying a subfield associated with the first BSS color.
 21. A methodfor wireless communications, comprising: identifying, at a station, afirst attribute value associated with a first access point, the firstattribute value comprising a first basic service set (BSS) color;receiving, at the station, a frame containing a second attribute valueassociated with a second access point, the second attribute valuecomprising a second BSS color; determining, at the station, that thefirst attribute value and the received second attribute value are thesame; and transmitting, to the first access point based at least in parton determining that the first attribute value and the received secondattribute value are the same, a message indicating that the firstattribute value is the same as the received second attribute value, themessage including an event report element indicating that the first BSScolor and the second BSS color correspond to overlapping BSSs (OBSSs),the event report element comprising an event token enabling or disablingautonomous reporting to the first access point, wherein disabling theautonomous reporting is associated with an indication that a BSS colorstatus of the first BSS color has been set to disabled.
 22. The methodof claim 21, further comprising: identifying, at the station, a firstbasic service set identifier (BSSID) associated with the first accesspoint; identifying, at the station, a second BSSID associated with thesecond access point from the second attribute value; and determining, atthe station, that the first BSSID is different from the second BSSIDbased at least in part on the identifying.
 23. The method of claim 21,further comprising: detecting, at the station, a BSS color collisionbased at least in part on the identifying that the first attribute valueis the same as the received second attribute value, wherein the BSScolor collision continues for a duration satisfying a threshold period.24. The method of claim 23, wherein transmitting the message furthercomprises: transmitting a second message indicating the detected BSScolor collision; and receiving, from the first access point, a thirdmessage indicating that the BSS color status of the first BSS color isset to disabled based at least in part on the transmitted second messageindicating the detected BSS color collision, wherein enabling ordisabling the autonomous reporting is associated with one or more of thedetected BSS color collision or the received third message indicatingthat the BSS color status of the first BSS color is set to disabled. 25.The method of claim 23, wherein transmitting the message comprisestransmitting an event report frame including the event report element tothe first access point based at least in part on the detected BSS colorcollision, wherein the event report element is generated autonomously orin response to receiving a request from an access point.
 26. The methodof claim 25, wherein the event report element comprises at least anevent report field comprising a bitmap including one or more bits whereat least some of the one or more bits indicate a color selected by anOBSS.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the event report elementcomprises at least an event report field identifying BSSID information,or BSS color information, or the detected BSS color collision, or acombination thereof associated with at least one access point currentlyin communication range with the station, or previously in communicationrange of the station, or a combination thereof.
 28. The method of claim25, wherein the event report element comprises at least one event reportfield identifying BSSID information, or BSS color information, or thedetected BSS color collision, or a combination thereof associated with afirst device in a first BSS and identifying BSSID information, or BSScolor information, or the detected BSS color collision, or a combinationthereof associated with a second device in a second BSS.
 29. Anapparatus for wireless communications, comprising: a processor; memoryin electronic communication with the processor; and instructions storedin the memory and operable, when executed by the processor, to cause theapparatus to: identify a first attribute value associated with a firstaccess point, the first attribute value comprising a first basic serviceset (BSS) color; receive a message indicating a second attribute valuecomprising a second BSS color and indicating that the first attributevalue is the same as the second attribute value, the message includingan event report element indicating that the first BSS color and thesecond BSS color correspond to overlapping BSSs (OBSSs), wherein theevent report element comprises an event token enabling autonomousreporting to the first access point; determine that the first attributevalue associated with the first access point is the same as the receivedsecond attribute value; adjust the first BSS color based at least inpart on the message indicating that the first attribute value is thesame as the second attribute value, wherein adjusting the first BSScolor comprises setting a BSS color status of the first BSS color todisabled.
 30. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising: aprocessor; memory in electronic communication with the processor; andinstructions stored in the memory and operable, when executed by theprocessor, to cause the apparatus to: identify a first attribute valueassociated with a first access point, the first attribute valuecomprising a first basic service set (BSS) color; receive a framecontaining a second attribute value associated with a second accesspoint, the second attribute value comprising a second BSS color;determine that the first attribute value and the received secondattribute value are the same; and transmit, to the first access pointbased at least in part on determining that the first attribute value andthe received second attribute value are the same, a message indicatingthat the first attribute value is the same as the received secondattribute value, the message including an event report elementindicating that the first BSS color and the second BSS color correspondto overlapping BSSs (OBSSs), the event report element comprising anevent token enabling or disabling autonomous reporting to the firstaccess point, wherein disabling the autonomous reporting is associatedwith an indication that a BSS color status of the first BSS color hasbeen set to disabled.